New Jersey’s most specialized four-legged officers were formally recognized in Trenton after playing a critical role in protecting voters and public facilities during one of the most challenging Election Days in recent state history. More than two dozen bomb-detection dogs and their handlers were honored for their swift response to a coordinated wave of threats that targeted polling locations across multiple counties.
During a ceremony held at the historic Trenton War Memorial, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin presented the 2025 Attorney General’s Award for Selfless Service to 29 law enforcement K-9 teams. The honorees represented agencies from across the state and included German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labrador retrievers, and golden retrievers — all trained to detect explosives and secure public spaces under high-pressure conditions. The group has since earned the nickname “Democracy Dogs” for their role in protecting the integrity of the gubernatorial election.
The recognition follows events from Election Day, when a surge of emailed bomb threats targeted polling locations in at least seven counties, including Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic. The threats triggered immediate emergency protocols and required rapid deployment of bomb-detection units to schools, community centers, and municipal buildings serving as polling sites.
Despite the scale of the disruption, most affected locations were cleared and reopened within roughly 30 minutes. Officials credit the speed and accuracy of the K-9 teams for minimizing interruptions and preventing widespread delays for voters.
Among the honorees was Rooney, an eight-year-old German shepherd from the Toms River Police Department who completed a full sweep of Cedar Grove Elementary School in just 20 minutes, allowing voting to resume quickly. Riley, a K-9 with the Hopewell Township Police Department, was deployed to Ewing High School in what became her first real-world explosives response, successfully helping secure the site under intense scrutiny. Chase, a black Labrador retriever with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, was also recognized for his work at multiple locations during the day’s heightened alert.
State investigators later determined that many of the emailed threats originated from foreign domains, raising concerns about interference and coordinated misinformation campaigns. In a separate case, authorities arrested a juvenile from North Brunswick in connection with a bomb threat sent via text message, underscoring the complex nature of the incidents.
Officials noted that while voters may not have seen the behind-the-scenes operations, the K-9 units worked continuously throughout the day, often moving from one site to another as new alerts emerged. Their training, discipline, and coordination with local police departments were credited with preserving public safety while allowing democratic processes to continue.
As New Jersey continues to evaluate election security protocols, the honored K-9 teams have become a symbol of readiness and resilience. Their actions reinforced the importance of specialized law enforcement units in protecting public institutions and maintaining public confidence during times of uncertainty.
Readers can find additional coverage of public safety operations, investigations, and legal developments in the Sunset Daily News Law & Order section, which highlights the stories shaping communities across the state.
