CODY L. HENDERSON, sergeant of the Salem County Sheriff’s Office, facing charges after his two K9s died in a hot vehicle as a result of being left for hours without ventilation

- New Jersey, USA -

On May 29, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Salem County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. CODY L. HENDERSON (pictured via Facebook), discovered his two K9 Officers, K9 Officer Boomer, a 6-year-old Springer Spaniel, and K9 Officer Rip, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, dead in his vehicle and took them to an animal hospital in Delaware.

On the same day, the Salem County Sheriff’s Office notified the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office of the deaths of the K9 Officers prompting an immediate investigation.

According to the criminal complaint provided to Voice For Us by the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, K9 Officer Boomer and K9 Officer Rip were left in the vehicle without appropriate ventilation between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Investigators said during that time frame, the vehicle was not running, the windows were closed, no emergency alert system was activated, and available indoor kennels were not utilized.

A necropsy on both K9 Officers was conducted by the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory and results showed that K9 Officer Boomer and K9 Officer Rip died from hyperthermia or heat stroke. The complaint stated: “No evidence of an alternative cause of death was identified.”

The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against HENDERSON and he’s now facing:

·        Two counts of inflicting unnecessary cruelty on a living animal.

·        Two counts of purposely, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to a living animal by failing to provide necessary care.

·        Two counts of unlawfully restraining an animal in a manner that exposed it to adverse environmental conditions for more than 30 minutes.

·        Two counts of failing to provide necessary care to a living animal.

HENDERSON is slated to appear in Salem County Court on July 30, 2026. at 8:30 a.m.

Officials said HENDERSON has been placed on unpaid leave.

Salem County Sheriff Chuck Miller took to Facebook to comment on the deaths of K9 Officer Boomer and K9 Officer Rip. Part of a recent Facebook post read: “The Salem County Sheriff’s Office remains deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our K-9 partners, Rip and Boomer. These exceptional canines dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the residents of Salem County and were valued members of our law enforcement family.”

The post goes on to read: “Rip and Boomer exemplified the highest standards of service, loyalty, and dedication. Their contributions to public safety and their commitment to duty will not be forgotten. The loss of these loyal partners has had a profound impact on our agency, our law enforcement community, and the citizens they faithfully served. We continue to honor the memory and service of Rip and Boomer and extend our thoughts to all those affected by this tragic loss.”  

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from documents provided to Voice For Us by the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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