The Westport Police Department wishes to extend a sincere thank you to all of those who were able to attend Monday's ceremony announcing the early retirement of Police Service Dog Koda from the ranks of our canine unit.
For those not able to attend, Koda is a nine year old Belgian Malinois that was imported from Hungary and joined the Westport Police Department in February of 2012. At eighteen months old, Koda completed a thorough ten week training course where he became certified in narcotics detection, tracking, handler protection, and criminal apprehension. Since beginning his law enforcement career, Koda has been partnered up with Officer James Loomer, who joined the department in February of 2010. Officer Loomer and Koda have since worked full time in the patrol division. Through the duration of their partnership, they have responded to over six hundred canine related calls for service for the town of Westport and other neighboring municipalities.
In recent months, Koda began suffering from moderate hip dysplasia in both his rear legs, which had begun to limit his ability to effectively do his job. Coincidentally, after suffering from multiple seizures one evening at home with his handler, Officer James Loomer, it was learned that Koda had developed a small brain tumor. Koda has since been on daily medication to reduce the chance of seizures and will retire and live out the rest of his life in comfort at home with Officer Loomer’s family.
As further detailed in last week’s ceremony, during his career Koda directly contributed to over one hundred and forty-five criminal arrests and citations, of which five illegal firearms were seized. Koda conducted over three hundred and seventy-five narcotic searches where he contributed to the seizure of fifty-two pounds of illegal marijuana, one hundred baggies of crack, one thousand one hundred twenty baggies of heroin, one pound of cocaine, and four and one-half pounds of MDMA (used to manufacture the drug Ecstasy). Koda also contributed to the seizure of over a dozen vehicles and over $103,000.00 in cash, all belonging to drug dealers. Through the years, Koda has worked with multiple Federal, State and Municipal task force teams throughout southern Connecticut, conducting many high-risk search and arrest warrants.
During his career, Koda conducted six criminal apprehensions where he used his speed to apprehend criminals attempting to elude police for crimes including burglary, assault on police, armed carjacking, possession of stolen vehicles, police pursuits, robbery, and sexual assault. Koda was also instrumental in saving the lives of two suicidal persons by tracking and locating them just moments before they were able to harm themselves, so that they could be transported to the hospital for help.
Koda conducted over a dozen public demonstrations every year for the local schools, child programs, and special events. At these events, supporters would see first-hand just how impressive Koda’s training and skills were. They also learned how instrumental his tracking abilities were; to not only track down and locate criminals at large, but also to locate children and the elderly suffering from dementia who had gone missing.
To honor Koda’s legendary career, the Westport Police Department is raising funds to purchase and train a new police service dog that will continue his impressive legacy. This new dog will be trained with the latest training techniques in narcotics detection, tracking, handler protection, and criminal apprehension. This new dog will also keep the department’s K9 Unit at full strength. Our fundraising goal is $40,000.00. That goal includes funding which will go towards the selection and training process for Koda’s replacement which will take several months and cost approximately $17,000.00; $12,000.00 of which is dedicated to the purchase of the dog and $5,000.00 earmarked for the animal’s training. The Westport K9 Unit itself currently has six police service dogs. We are therefore additionally seeking $14,000.00 to be used for emergency veterinary funding, $6,500.00 for food and nutrition supplies and $2,500.00 for K9 equipment and specialized canine and handler training costs.
If you would like to honor Koda and his many years of service as well as to continue to support the existence of our K9 program, the Westport Police Department would appreciate any financial assistance. Donations may be made in one of two ways. Directly through our GoFundMe page here.
or also by check made out to “The Westport Police K9 Unit.” This check can be mailed to the Westport Police Department K9 Unit, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880. Please see the attached flier for additional details.
For any questions or for further information on any of the above please contact Officer James Loomer via phone at (203) 341-6000 or via e-mail at JLoomer@WestportCT.gov