2 NJ Sheriff's K-9s Died In A Hot Vehicle; Their Handler Has Been Charged, Prosecutor Says

The dogs were left in a sheriff's Chevy Tahoe for 7 hours without air conditioning, the Salem County Prosecutor's Office said.

By Eddie Callahan, Patch Staff

Jul 8, 2026 10:18 am EDT | Updated Jul 8, 2026 1:12 pm EDT

Salem K-9s Rip (left) and Boomer died May 29 when they were left in sheriff's vehicle for 7 hours by their handler, Sheriff's Officer Cody Henderson. He has been charged in their deaths. (Salem County Sheriff's Office)

SALEM COUNTY, NJ — A Salem County Sheriff's officer has been charged after he left two K-9 officers in a hot SUV for 7 hours and the dogs died, the Salem County Prosecutor's Office said.

Cody L. Henderson has been charged with two counts of third-degree purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to a living animal by failing to provide the living animal with necessary care, resulting in death, the prosecutor's office said.

The dogs, K-9 Officer Boomer, a 6-year-old springer spaniel, and K-9 Officer Rip, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, died May 29, the prosecutor's office said.

They had been left in the vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the vehicle off and the windows closed, the prosecutor's office said. The vehicle had a known issue with its air conditioning, officials said. The vehicle's K-9 emergency heat alarm system was off, authorities said.

The high temperature on May 29 reached 77 degrees, but the interior of a vehicle can reach dangers temperatures in a matter of minutes.

There were indoor kennels "readily available," but Henderson did not use them, the prosecutor's office said.

Henderson found the dogs when he came out to the Tahoe from the Salem County Courthouse at 3:30 p.m. that day, prosecutors said, and drove them to a veterinarian in Delaware, but the dogs did not survive.

The Salem County Prosecutor's Office learned of the deaths that same evening and immediately began looking into the case, authorities said.

"The loss of these loyal partners has had a profound impact on our agency, our law enforcement community, and the citizens they faithfully served," Salem County Sheriff Chuck Miller said Wednesday in a statement.

"These exceptional canines dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the residents of Salem County and were valued members of our law enforcement family," he said. "Rip and Boomer exemplified the highest standards of service, loyalty, and dedication. Their contributions to public safety and their commitment to duty will not be forgotten."

In New Jersey, the third-degree animal cruelty charge with the death of an animal carries a potential 18-month prison sentence.

Henderson also has been charged with:

Infliction of unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal by leaving the living animal unattended in a vehicle under inhumane conditions;
As a person charged with the care of a living animal, failure to provide the living animal with necessary care;
Unlawful cruel restraint of a dog in a manner that exposes the dog to adverse environmental conditions for more than 30 minutes.

Henderson has been on paid leave since May while the case was being investigated,CBS News reported.

He is scheduled to make his first appearance in court on July 30.

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR NEWS TO SHARE? Contact Editor Eddie Callahan at edward.callahan@patch.com to connect with Patch in your area.