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Died 7/15/20
Handler – officer Joshua Knowlton
‘He was a good dog’ — Holbrook’s first K9 receives a final salute
The town’s first police dog received a final salute Wednesday after serving on the force for six years. Members of the Holbrook Police Department, dispatch staff and neighboring law enforcement members lined up on the road leading up to the Holbrook Animal Hospital to say goodbye to Bo, a German shepherd, who was put down following a brief battle with cancer. “He was a good dog,” said Chief William Smith. “He served his community well, so we’re thankful for that. Rest in peace.” Bo joined the police force in 2013 and worked with officer Joshua Knowlton. They were Holbrook police’s first K9 team. On Wednesday, Knowlton, his wife and two children brought Bo to the animal hospital. Before entering the animal hospital, they stood for a moment to hug each other and wipe away tears. Afterward, Knowlton carried out Bo’s muzzle, harness and leash. He and his wife, April, hugged and shook hands with the officers and dispatchers who came to wish Bo goodbye. “These dogs are with these officers 24/7,” Smith said. “They’re so close. Really it’s like losing your best friend.” Knowlton declined to comment after Bo was put down because he was too sad, Smith said. The 9-year-old police dog retired in August 2019 and has lived with Knowlton and his family since. Bo came from the Netherlands and graduated from a 16-week training course before joining the Holbrook Police Department.He was a certified patrol dog trained in human search and tracking, evidence searches, criminal apprehension and crowd control. The dog helped officers arrest a suspect wanted for robbery and the assault of a police officer, Holbrook police said. Bo also responded to calls for neighboring departments, like when he helped Abington police find a suicidal woman who was hiding near an apartment complex, police said. Another Holbrook police dog, Charlie, also retired in 2019. The department has a new police dog, Jan, who has been on the force since February and attended Bo’s final salute. Smith said Bo will be cremated and his ashes will be returned to Holbrook.
