Brutus retired from the force earlier this year to live out his life as a family pet for Sgt. James Kaelin
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP -- Police in the township are mourning the death of a K9 who worked for the department for more than eight years before retiring in July.
Cpl. James Kaelin poses with his partner, Brutus, retired from Gloucester Township's Police Department after serving for eight years. (Photo provided)A Gloucester Township police Nixle community alert sent Wednesday afternoon said K9 Brutus, a 9-year-old German Shepherd, died as he was living out his years as a family pet for Sgt. James Kaelin.
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Brutus worked alongside Kaelin since 2007, tracking down narcotics, criminals, clearing buildings and performing other duties.
"Our condolences are extended to the Sgt. Kaelin and his family, as well as our gratitude for the service of K-9 Brutus as a member of the Gloucester Township Police Family," a post on the police's Facebook page stated.
Brutus was Kaelin's second partner, as the officer has worked with a K9 since the department's K9 unit began in 1999, with his first partner being K9 Atos.
Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
