MAYOR DIGIROLAMO AND DIRECTOR MCVEY DEDICATE NEW K-9 KENNEL TO SLAIN OFFICER JAMES ARMSTRONG

48 years ago this past Saturday, on April 15, 1975, Officer James Armstrong was shot and killed as he investigated an armed robbery.  His partner, Shep, was also shot that day but he survived. We will never forget Jim’s sacrifice and have used his tragedy to help better protect our officers today.

This morning, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and Director William McVey dedicated the new Bensalem Township Police K-9 Kennel in the name of Officer James Armstrong. Officer Armstrong was an early member of the Bensalem Police K-9 Unit and he served with his K-9 partner Shep.  A spare K-9 run in the facility bears the name of Shep.

Since Officer Armstrong’s tragic death, the Bensalem K-9 Unit has continued to serve this community with distinction with over 50 police service dogs in our Department’s history.  Our current unit is comprised of six working dogs and is commanded by Lt. Mike Schum.  They are trained in patrol duties, narcotics detection, and explosive detection.  Some of their work over the past four years includes:

 o   200 criminal suspect searches with 59 apprehensions

o   ZERO K-9 bites in all these apprehensions

o   30 firearms recovered

o   300 narcotic searches - thousands of pounds of narcotics seized

This state of the art facility will provide a training space, kennels, outdoor runs and other amenities for the Bensalem Township Police K-9 Unit.

Members of the Armstrong family were present for the ceremony and they were treated to a tour of the facility and a K-9 demonstration.  The event was also attended by council members, residents of Bensalem Township and Bensalem Township Police Officers.