N.J. police departments mourn loss of record-setting K-9

Camden County Police Department K-9 "Zero" held the record for the most apprehensions by a police dog in New Jersey. Watch video

CAMDEN -- As the body of Camden County Police Department (CCPD) K-9 "Zero" was carried into the Rothman Animal Hospital along busy Crescent Boulevard, a dozen fellow police K-9s stood silently and obediently next to their handlers.

The dogs made no more than a few whimpers as the most honored police K-9 in New Jersey -- draped in an American flag -- disappeared behind the doors of the animal hospital for the last time.

"He'll be in my heart and hopefully the other dogs in our unit will continue to build on his legacy," said Lt. Zsakhiem James, Zero's handler who found the his beloved and recently-retired 12-year-old pet dead around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

"Though he may have the record for the most criminal apprehensions in the state, his records in the hearts and minds of children in Camden City is his greatest legacy," the life-long city resident and officer of more than two decades added. "He worked hard. He worked very hard ... I will sorely miss him."

Zero, a shepherd from the Czech Republic born on Christmas day, was effectively retired when James was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant, CCPD spokesman Mike Daniels said, noting that he would be brought out from time to time for community events. It's the latter aspect that is most likely to have a lasting impact on Camden residents who met Zero and learned about his accolades. 

"I don't think there's going to be a dry eye in the grammar schools," CCPD Chief Scott Thomson said, adding that Zero was an integral part of the department's mission of building connections with youth and the community.

Zero became the CCPD's first police dog in 12 years when he joined the department in August 2007. At the time, Zero only understood commands in Czech, but eventually learned English orders. In early 2014, he broke New Jersey's record for apprehensions made by a K-9 officer: 66.

At the time of his death, which was unexpected, Zero had tracked down 68 suspects. The record-breaking incident came when Zero managed to apprehend a suspect in possession of more than 600 hypodermic needles.

In a statement from Camden County Freeholder Lou Cappelli, the director of the board noted a 2010 arrest where Zero "sniffed out a suspect who had stabbed someone in the neck with scissors and was hiding under insulation in a ceiling crawl space inside a home. Once Zero located him, the suspect attempted to fight off Zero then ran out of the house before Zero tackled him."

At a procession behind the CCPD headquarters attended by officers from Voorhees, Gloucester Township, Washington Township and Cherry Hill, James said he and Zero had fallen through ceilings together and convinced people to surrender rather than carry out further criminal acts.

And when Zero went above and beyond the call of duty, tracking down bad guys and preventing tragedies, he was treated to his favorite meal: 20 chicken McNuggets from McDonald's.

"You've got to get the bad guy taste out of your mouth," James said.