Retired K-9 Officer Yaenkee Dies

Rest in peace, Yaenkee.

The retired South Whitehall Township police dog died Nov. 10, Police Chief Thomas Toth told township commissioners Wednesday night.

The child-friendly and well-loved German shepherd was 11 years old.

He had worked as the township’s K-9 officer for more than seven years when he was retired from the force in 2011. Yaenkee then lived out the rest of his days with his handler, Officer Kyle Golden.

Yaenkee was not quite 2 in March 2004 when he joined the South Whitehall Township police, reviving a dormant K-9 officer program.

Yaenkee and Golden completed an initial two-month K-9 academy training program through Kromerhaus Kennels and continued training through Progressive K9 Academy.

Yaenkee was certified yearly through the Eastern Police Canine Association as a patrol and narcotics K-9.

With Golden, Yaenkee conducted searches for suspects and contraband in the township and nearby municipalities and assisted other agencies, such as the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lehigh County Drug Task Force and most Lehigh County school districts.

The K-9 team participated in numerous special events and was a favorite attraction for children because of his gentle temperament.