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Westport Police K-9 Unit Fundraiser

The Westport Police Department is sad to announce the early retirement of Police Service Dog Koda due to unexpected health concerns.


Koda is a 9 year old Belgian Malinois that was imported from Hungary and joined the Westport Police Department in February of 2012. In recent months, Koda  began suffering from moderate hip dysplasia in both his rear legs and it began to limit his ability to do his job. Coincidentally, it was learned that Koda developed a small brain tumor after suffering from multiple seizures one evening at home with his handler, Officer James Loomer. 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.

Since Koda began his career, he was partnered up with Officer Loomer who had been working for the Department since 2010. At 18 months old, Koda completed a thorough 10 week training course where he became certified in narcotics detection, tracking, handler protection, and criminal apprehension. 


Koda worked full time in the patrol division and responded to over 600 canine related calls for service for the town of Westport and neighboring agencies. During this time, Koda directly contributed to over 145 criminal arrests and citations, of which 5 illegal firearms were seized. Koda conducted over 375 narcotic searches where he contributed to the seizure of 52 pounds of illegal marijuana, 100 baggies of crack, 1,120 baggies of heroin, 1 pound of cocaine, and 4 1/2 pounds of MDMA (used to make ecstasy). Koda contributed to the seizure of over a dozen vehicles and over $103,000 in drug money all belonging to drug dealers. Koda worked with many Federal, State, and Municipal task force teams throughout southern CT conducting many high risk search and arrest warrants. 


Koda conducted 6 criminal apprehensions during his career 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 and instead they were 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 was. They would also learn how instrumental his tracking skills were to not only be used to track down and locate criminals at large but would be used to locate children gone missing and elderly loved ones gone missing suffering from dementia.


To honor the legendary career that Koda has had, the Westport Police Department is looking to raise funds to purchase and train a new police service dog to continue Koda’s sterling legacy. The new dog would be trained with the latest training techniques that Koda was trained for (narcotics detection, tracking, handler protection, and criminal apprehension). This would keep the department’s K-9 Unit up to full strength.

Fundraising Goal Total: $40,000

Campaign Details:

-Project 1:
The selection and training process for Koda’s replacement takes several months and costs $17,000. ($12,000 to purchase of the dog, $5,000 for the training). 

-Project 2:
The Westport Police Department currently has 6 police dogs.  We are also seeking operating costs for the year 2020. $14,000 (Emergency Veternary Funding), $6,500 (Food & Nutrition Supplies), $2,500 (K-9 Equipment Supplies and specialized canine & handler training costs)


If you would like to honor Koda and his many years of service, the Westport Police Department would appreciate your financial support.


Contributions can also be made by check to "The Westport Police K9 Unit" and mailed to the Westport Police Department K9 Unit, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880.

For any questions or further information please contact K9 Officer James Loomer [phone redacted]. ([email redacted])

Donations 

  • Laurel Road
    • $500 
    • 4 yrs
  • Sherlock Charitable Foundation
    • $5,000 (Offline)
    • 4 yrs
  • John Kent & Rima Demarais
    • $250 (Offline)
    • 4 yrs
  • The Joyce & Bernie Zimmerman Foundation
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 4 yrs
  • People's United Bank
    • $2,000 (Offline)
    • 4 yrs

Organizer

Westport Police Department
Organizer
Westport, CT

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