Provided/K-9 Officer Max of the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office received his pin on his birthday, Sept. 3.
Atlantic County Sheriff K-9 Officer Max, a 2-year-old German shepherd, celebrated his second birthday Sept. 3 in a very special way.
He visited Tom Lloyd, director of the German Shepherd Rescue of New Jersey in Warren County, to receive his Atlantic County K-9 Police Training graduation pin.
Lloyd was responsible for saving Max from euthanasia and found the perfect place for Max, who became a candidate for K-9 service.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Max was unable to have a graduation ceremony locally, but his handler, Sheriff's Officer Joseph Lomonaco, along with Sgt. Michael Gilmore, took Max back to where his journey began.
Lloyd said he was honored to pin Max and be part of his special day.
He noted the great team effort between the animal rescue organization and Sheriff's Office, which provided Max with a new home and a great new career.
Max graduated from the Atlantic County K-9 Police Training academy on Feb. 13 with certification in narcotics detection.
