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Greenwich Township police mourn death of K-9 Zeus
Greenwich Township is mourning the death of one of its retired police officers, albeit one that did not serve in uniform. Zeus, a German shepherd that remained beloved in the department after the K-9 unit was disbanded in 2008, died Thursday after being struck by a car. “We are (grateful) for his service and he will be missed by all members of the police department,” a department Facebook post said. Chief Richard Hummer said the dog got out of his partner’s house and was fatally struck in what he described as “a total accident.” “We are there for him and his family,” the chief said of Patrolman Chris Tasiopoulos. Though Zeus wasn’t human, the four-legged half of a K-9 unit can become a valued part of the department just the same. “They’re another part of us,” Hummer said. Township Committeeman Will Spencer, a former police officer, also offered his condolences. “Any loss of an officer, whether it’s a person or a K-9 dog is a loss to the community,” he said. “The dog did a wonderful service.” Zeus was retired from the department in 2008 amid controversy involving his partner. Tasiopoulos said in a 2009 whistle-blower lawsuit that the K-9 unit was disbanded in retaliation for complaints about a superior. The township spent about $5,500 to buy Zeus and thousands more to maintain the dog, only to disband the unit after a little more than a year of service, according to previous reports. The township at the time said the move was due to cost concerns. The lawsuit was eventually settled and Tasiopoulos continues to work for the department. However, the township has not had another K-9 since Zeus.
