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K9 Abbi, the Belgian Malinois who works narcotics detection for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, turned 5 this week, and the Sheriff’s Office marked the milestone with a birthday post and a few new photos of its four-legged detective.
“Happy 5th Birthday K9 Abbi!” the Sheriff’s Office wrote, adding a thank you to Abbi “for all your hard work and dedication.” The photos show Abbi sitting tall with her ears straight up, clearing a jump on the training field, and stretched out belly up on a dog bed.
Abbi’s name carries real weight in Morris County. She is named in honor of former Morris County Park Police Detective Sergeant Timothy P. Abline, a 26-year Morris County law enforcement officer who founded Saddle Up for Toys, the annual holiday toy drive that began in 2002 and grew into one of the county’s best known donation programs. Abline died in 2011.
Abbi joined the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Section in August 2023 as a 22-month-old Belgian Malinois, arriving alongside a German Shepherd and Malinois mix named Leo, who honors Leon Bradford, the first chief of the former Morris County Park Police Department. At the time, Sheriff James M. Gannon said the two dogs were “exceptionally special, not just because they wear fur coats, but because we bring them into dedicated service in honor of two great Morris County law enforcement officers.”
Abbi was brought on to train in patrol work and narcotics detection, and the training paid off. In March 2026, she and her handler, Detective Brian McCormack, were among eight Sheriff’s Office K-9 teams that earned regional certifications through the United States Police Canine Association Region 15, with Abbi and McCormack certified as a narcotics detection team.
The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Section operates within the Patrol Division, with teams certified in narcotics, explosives and electronics detection, and one team assigned to the Morris County Correctional Facility. Police dogs have a special place in local hearts, as we saw this summer when Denville said goodbye to its therapy K9 Mac, and when Kelly’s K9s Tails of Courage hosted its open house in Whippany.
From all of us at Shop Morris County, happy birthday, Abbi. Thank you for keeping Morris County safe, and enjoy the extra treats.
Photos courtesy of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
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