Salem County Sheriffs Officer Charged in Hot Car Deaths of 2 K-9s
Prosecutors say Cody Henderson left the dogs in a vehicle for 7 hours without proper ventilation, and a necropsy found likely heat stroke.
- K-9 Sergeant Cody Henderson faces animal cruelty charges after his assigned K-9s, K-9 Officer Rip and K-9 Officer Boomer, died in his police vehicle on May 29, 2026, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
- Investigators determined the dogs died from hyperthermia after Henderson left them unattended for seven hours without ventilation, as outside temperatures in Salem County reached 81 degrees.
- Prosecutors allege the vehicle was not running, windows remained closed, no emergency alert system was activated, and Henderson failed to use "immediately available" indoor kennels, according to prosecutors.
- Henderson is currently suspended from duty pending the outcome of criminal proceedings, with court documents showing he is scheduled to appear in Salem County Court on July 30.
- The Salem County Sheriff's Office stated it "remains deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our K-9 partners," while confirming ongoing cooperation with criminal and internal investigations.
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NJ K-9 Unit Commander Charged After Two Police Dogs Die in Hot Patrol Car for 7 Hours - Internewscast Journal
Internewscast Journal Internewscast A New Jersey sheriff’s sergeant who oversaw his agency’s K-9 unit is… This Post: NJ K-9 Unit Commander Charged After Two Police Dogs Die in Hot Patrol Car for 7 Hours first appeared on Internewscast Journal
NJ cop in charge of K-9 unit charged after leaving two police dogs to die in hot car for 7 hours: report
Cody L. Henderson of the Salem County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Tuesday following the deaths of K-9s Boomer, a 6-year-old springer spaniel and Rip, a 4-year-old Belgian malinois on May 29, NJ.com reported.
N.J. sergeant charged with animal cruelty after two K-9s die in hot car
Salem County Sheriff's Office sergeant Cody L. Henderson, 41, faces animal cruelty charges for leaving two K-9s inside a hot car for seven hours on May 29, leading to the dogs' deaths.
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