Zip, an eight-year veteran of the police department's K-9 unit, has died.

The Belgian dog, who was partnered with K-9 Officer John Perry, died April 12 after suffering a major intestinal problem. He would have been 10 years old in July.

Zip was born in Belgium and brought to the United States. He joined the Londonderry force in August 2001.
Police dog ZIP

Londonderry K-9 officer John Perry straps a donated bulletproof vest on his partner Zip in this April 2009 photo.

He was graduated from the New Hampshire State Police patrol school and certified as a patrol service dog in November 2001. Zip accompanied Officer Perry when he was called to active service in the Massachusetts Air National Guard following Sept. 11, 2001.

In January 2004, Zip was certified as a narcotics detection canine. During his career, Zip tracked criminals, found the lost, and sniffed out illegal drugs.

Last year, Zip was the first canine recipient of a Kevlar vest in the Granite State after Michael Simpson, then 12, of Chester, raised $600 to buy the bullet resistant cloak. Simpson began the fundraiser after seeing a news report of a police dog being shot dead.

In March, Zip was moved to part-time status while Perry trained his successor.
Trust in me my friend for I am
your comrade. I will protect you
with my last breath When all
others have left you And the
loneliness of the night closes
in, I will be at your side.

Together we will conquer all
obstacles, And search out
those who might wish harm to
others. All I ask of you is
compassion, The caring touch
of your hands. It is for you that I
will unselfishly give my life And
spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together
May be marked by the passing
of the seasons Know that each
day at your side is my reward.

My days are measured by The
coming and going of your
footsteps. I anticipate them at
every opening of the door. You
are the voice of caring when I
am ill. The voice of authority
when I've done wrong.


Do not chastise me unduly For
I am your right arm, The sword
at your side. I attempt to do
only what you bid of me. I seek
only to please you and remain
in your favor.

Together you and I shall
experience A bond only others
like us will understand When
outsiders see us together Their
envy will be measured by their
disdain.

I will quietly listen to you And
pass no judgment, Nor will your
spoken words be repeated I will
remain ever silent, Ever vigilant,
ever loyal. And when our time
together is done And you move
on in the world Remember me
with kind thoughts and tales,
For a time we were unbeatable,
Nothing passed among us
undetected.

If we should meet again on
another street I will gladly take
up your fight, I am a Police
Working Dog and together We
are guardians of the night.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=R.I.P.+Zip%3A+Veteran+of+Lon donderry+K-9+unit+dies&articleId=539b5e0e-ae05-452b-b459-d9e84cf9967e