Oneida County Sheriff’s Office names K-9 after Ofc. Michael Jensen

ORISKANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office named three new K-9’s to their K-9 unit, but one of them was extra special.

K-9 Jensen was named after Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, who was killed in the line of duty this past April. Some say the two share more than just a name, but qualities too.

“He’s got a lot of Michael’s qualities, he’s smart, he’s feisty, he appears to be very loyal with his handler, he’s a young energetic pup, ready to learn and he’s handsome, just like Michael,” said Michelle Jensen, Officer Jensen’s mom.

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol approached the Jensen’s with the idea to let them name the newest K-9.

“We threw around a couple of names, but Jensen was Michael’s name. Police officers go by their last name and we asked his friends and got a couple of ideas,” Ms. Jensen said.

“They used to call you Mrs. Jens and me Mr. Jensen,” Paul Jensen added.

So, the two decided on Jensen, because everyone would think of their son Michael.

Syracuse Police Officers who were not only partners, but friends of Officer Jensen were also at the ceremony to commemorate the new K-9. Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile believes the group of young men have become closer after the tragedy of losing their friend.

“Early on when we lost the two heroes including our hero, we had to do two things; we had to commemorate him forever in his career even though it was short,” Cecile said. “And the second thing is to move on. Officers need to move on and if you could talk to any of those officers today, they’d say the same thing.”

This gesture is doing just that honoring Officer Jensen in his home county on Oneida.

“When someone makes the ultimate sacrifice gives their life to keep their community safe, we can never forget that and have to do everything we can to always remember the sacrifice that they made,” Maciol said. “He will live on in Jensen here in Oneida County.”

A young, enthusiastic dog that will be around for a while out and about in the community.

“People will see him and might ask what’s his name and what’s the deal with his name and then we’ll tell a story about the fallen officer and maybe a story about his career and it’s another way people to remember Officer Jensen,” Cecile said.  

It’s a name that holds a story, one that will not go untold.

Powered by News Channel 9.