Peekskill Welcomes New Canine Officer

PEEKSKILL, NY — With so much grim news, Peekskill police officials thought they'd lighten things up with an early introduction of an officer-in-training. A four-footed one.

"Normally we would wait until graduation to introduce a new officer to the City of Peekskill, however I’m sure that many of you have noticed a canine and officer walking around the parks that do not resemble K9 Charlie or Officer Nappi," they said on Facebook. "Your eyes are not deceiving you! I would like to formally introduce the newest members of the Peekskill Police K9 Unit, K9 Bones and his handler Officer Saintiche."

K9 handler is a new position for Officer Jonathan Saintiche. He will be going to school with a 15-month-old German Shepherd imported from Slovakia.

The dog is named after U.S . Air Force Staff Sergeant Louis M. Bonacasa, who was stationed at Stewart Air National Guard Base and was killed in Afghanistan Dec. 21, 2015.

Saintiche has a personal link there: he is a veteran of the United States Air Force-Air National Guard and served time at Stewart Air National Guard Base. The dog is affectionately nicknamed "Bones."

"A very special thank you goes out to the Bonacasa family for their contribution to our new K9 Team and for their blessing. It is with great pride that we carry on the memory of Staff Sgt. Bonacasa and honor his sacrifice," police officials said. "Please join us in welcoming K9 Bones to the City of Peekskill and congratulating P.O. Saintiche on his new position as K9 Handler. Please wish them well as they will both be undergoing a rigorous training process over the course of the next year."