Holly MatkinHackettstown, NJ – Hackettstown Police Department (HPD) K9 Jada died in the line of duty on Aug. 19 after suffering a medical emergency, according to her department.
The five-year-old Dutch Malinois was rushed to a veterinary clinic, where she passed away with her partner, HPD Officer Cristopher Laver, by her side, the agency said in a Facebook post the following day.
“Please keep Officer Laver and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very tough time,” the post read. “Jada will be deeply missed by all of us here and will never be forgotten.”
K9 Jada joined the HPD on July 14, 2016, after Officer Laver approached the Hackettstown Town Council and HPD Chief James Macaulay about implementing a K9 unit, the New Jersey Herald reported.
He had already adopted K9 Jada, and they were training together when he pitched the idea to his administrators.
The HPD held tryouts and selected the duo to be the its K9 team, the New Jersey Herald reported.
K9 Jada and Officer Laver graduated from the Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 patrol class in 2017.
She helped apprehend numerous suspects and tracked down weapons and narcotics during her years of service, The Daily Voice reported.
“She’s the best partner I’ve ever had,” Officer Laver told the New Jersey Herald in October of 2019. “She’s serious and she does her job well.”
In January, K9 Jada and Officer Laver were selected to receive a $2,000 grant for coming in fourth place in a nationwide contest put on by the crime scene biohazard remediation company, Aftermath Services, the New Jersey Herald reported.
Four hundred departments participated in the contest.
“It’s easy to get behind a police department and Patrolman Laver and Jada, when you see the dedication and time spent,” Hackettstown Mayor Maria DiGiovanni told the New Jersey Herald at the time. “Without their dedication and without the support of everybody (in the community), we probably wouldn’t be standing here today.”
The HPD held a memorial service in K9 Jada’s honor on Monday.
It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of our K9 Jada. Jada was working Wednesday night when she suffered a medical emergency. Jada was rushed to a veterinary clinic where she passed in the company of her handler Officer Christopher Laver. pic.twitter.com/51TeCw1ljV
— Hackettstown Police (@HackettstownPD) August 20, 2020
Lebanon, New Jersey—The K Street Group today is offering its condolences and spiritual support to Officer Christopher Laver of the Hackettstown, NJ Police K9 Unit. Sadly, on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, K9 Jada passed away as a result of a medical emergency while on duty. pic.twitter.com/UcEv9O1t57
— kstreetgroupsecurity (@kstreetgroupllc) August 31, 2020
Happy 5th Birthday to K9 Jada! 🎂🥳 pic.twitter.com/IroJcERUnr
— Hackettstown Police (@HackettstownPD) February 18, 2020
Congratulations to Patrolman Laver and K9 Jada for placing First in Narcotics, First for Fastest Dog and Fifth for Patrol at the 2019 Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 Competition. pic.twitter.com/p0ovwzLDxD
— Hackettstown Police (@HackettstownPD) November 2, 2019
Special thanks to @HackettstownPD and Officer Laver for bringing K9 Jada to Central to visit 2nd grade and show Mr. Mai who’s boss. #JaguarStars #K9 #K9OfTheDay pic.twitter.com/stRj9VOTb4
— Central Elem. School (@GMcentralJags) February 9, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hackettstown Police Department and Officer Laver in the loss of K9 Jada.
