It is with deep regret that the Middletown Township Police Department announces the passing of Police Canine Officer Shadow (Badge K9-3). Shadow was almost sixteen years old when he was put to rest on June 10, 2010 surrounded by his handler and best friend, I/DLT. Stephen Dollinger, fellow officers, family and friends. He was the third canine officer in the department’s history and was the longest serving police canine officer with the police department to date with over eleven years of service. He was the first narcotics detection canine to serve the department.

Shadow began his tenure with the Middletown Township Police Department on February 27, 1999 and attended the New Jersey State Police Canine Academy in West Trenton, New Jersey along with his Handler, I/Detective Lieutenant Stephen Dollinger. After completing his training in the detection of illegal narcotics, Shadow and I/DLT. Dollinger served in the Patrol Division until April 1, 2005 when they were reassigned to the Detective Bureau. He served in the Detective Bureau right up and until his passing.

During his years of service to the department Shadow conducted over three hundred actual searches, thousands of training searches and was responsible for the arrests of countless people and the confiscation of large quantities of narcotics. Shadow was also instrumental in the seizure of numerous motor vehicles, a large amount of property and significant amounts of currency. He also enjoyed participating in community relations functions such as demonstrations and visits to local civic organizations.

Shadow remained certified until his final days and even completed his last in-service training on June 8, 2010.

Shadow’s success was responsible for numerous other towns in the Bayshore area setting up canine programs of their own.

Shadow will be forever missed by the entire Middletown Police Department, the Township of Middletown and especially by his handler and best friend I/DLT. Dollinger and Dollinger’s fiancé Donna Picerno, as well as the entire Dollinger family, including his four pet siblings. (Tori, Speckles, George and Sierra), Dollinger said.

I/DLT. Dollinger would like to thank Unipet and Lucky Dog Groomers in Port Monmouth for taking care of Shadow’s grooming needs throughout his entire career and Pet Smart pet store in Holmdel for providing his food up and until 2009. He would also like to send a very special thanks to the entire staff at Home Vet Service in Belford, especially Dr. Drozd and Dr. Haupt for providing Shadow with the best vet care possible. As Shadow’s time was nearing the end, his body was physically unable to keep up with his heart and his incredible desire to work. The staff at Home Vet was remarkable. Their compassion will never be forgotten.

The Middletown Township Police Department would like to thank the New Jersey State Police and the Holmdel Township Police Department for providing Shadow with the best training possible and for assisting with his monthly in-service requirements. Shadow was a member of the United States Police Canine Association and completed their annual certification requirements every year.

Shadow lived a great life and will miss working with each and every member of the Middletown Police Department, especially his best buddies, Ronnie and Agnes, the Detective Bureau secretaries, his fellow detectives and other canine units and departments throughout the state, Dollinger said.

I/DLT. Dollinger would like to thank everyone who either touched Shadow’s life or who may have had their life touched by him and to all those who have contributed to and supported the Middletown Police Canine Program throughout the years.