Front Royal Police Department K9 Boone dies following brief illness

K9 Boone, died Monday following a short illness. He was the Front Royal Police Department’s first K9, and served with handler, Sergeant J.B. Courtney since 2007. / Courtesy photos.

FRONT ROYAL –The Front Royal Police Department announced Monday afternoon that K-9 Boone has died following a brief illness for which he was being treated.  His death on Monday came two days past his 12^th birthday.

Boone and his handler, Sergeant J.B. Courtney, have been partners since June of 2007 when the K-9 program with the FRPD department began.

K-9 Boone graduated from the United States Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection Canine School in 2007. He was actively serving the department, having been deployed on over 1000 occasions to assist in detecting illegal narcotics in vehicles, residences and schools.

Those deployments provided support to the Front Royal Police Department, as well as the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force, the National Park Service and a host of other area agencies.

Sergeant J.B. Courtney and Boone logged over 400 documented seizures of illegal narcotics and paraphernalia and provided numerous K-9 demonstrations for area schools, civic organizations and had been a featured demonstrator at National Night Out over the years.

In a press release issued by the department, Police Chief Kahle Magalis stated, “Boone gave 100% to our department and the community he served for 11 years and will be missed by all. Please keep Sergeant J.B. Courtney and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they heal from his passing.”

Front Royal Police Foundation President Patti Baggarly said in an email Monday afternoon, “It is a very sad day for Front Royal Police Department and the community.  Boone has been with our family as a K9 officer since he got out of training.  Losing a K9 officer is as difficult as losing any other officer.

“Boone brought courage, dedication and loyalty to not only Sergeant Courtney but to all involved with the FRPD.  Our condolences to Sergeant Courtney and his family as well as all the men and women in blue.”

Boone and his handler, Sergeant J.B. Courtney.