K9 Patrol Officer
Sergeant Amanda VanBuskirk | avanbuskirk@longmeadow.org
The Longmeadow K-9 Unit was started in 2015 with the addition of K-9 Kai to our Department. K-9 Kai, a German Shepherd, served for our Department for 7 years before retiring. Over his career he was responsible for the arrest of many criminals, located lost people, found evidence, narcotics, and assisted agencies all over Western Massachusetts. K-9 Kai officially retired on January 9th, 2023 where he now lives with his handler Sgt. VanBuskirk.
On January 12th, 2023 with the assistance of grants through Mass Vest A Dog, the Holyoke Kennel Club, and AKC Reunite, the Longmeadow K-9 Unit added our newest Officer K-9 Reuben to our Department. K-9 Reuben, a German Shepherd, was born on 3/21/2021 in nearby Connecticut. He completed his training through the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. K-9 Reuben is certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association to track suspects and missing people, recover evidence, search buildings, and handler protection. While he has some big paws to fill, we are confident that K-9 Reuben will take over as the newest ambassador of Longmeadow.