WHEREAS, Azeem, the black-and-rust German Shepherd, was born on May 22, 1995, and approximately three years later, after intense training, became a member of the Philadelphia Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Azeem’s sense of smell, searching tactics, and recovery skills, exemplifies what it means to be a K9 in the finest Police Departments in the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Azeem was the only trained cadaver sniffing dog in the area, and, in addition to the Philadelphia Police Department, was helpful to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Jersey and Pennsylvania State Police Departments, and other law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, Azeem participated in the recovery efforts at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Azeem won the prestigious 2001 Case of the Year Award given by the United States Police Canine Association in the Kimberly Szumski case in which Azeem remarkably located a body entombed in a concrete wall; and
WHEREAS, Azeem superbly represented the Philadelphia Police Department and The City of Philadelphia — he will be greatly missed; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it, Recognizes, Honors, Celebrates, And Remembers Azeem: The “Brave One” — Badge Number K-527, A Seven-Year Veteran Of The Philadelphia Police Department—For His Honorable Service And Extraordinary Talents That Personified His Commitment To Not Only The Citizens Of Philadelphia But Also To The United States Of America.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and Azeem’s human partner, Officer Paul Bryant, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
End
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