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Cop has clean record, dog death may be 1st blemish
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Attendees of the memorial signed a photo of Bandit which was going to be given to the Chandler Police Department.
Julio Jimenez, Tribune
A Chandler K-9 supervisor under investigation after the dog he was in charge of died in a hot police vehicle has had no disciplinary actions during his 16-year career, according to his personnel file released Monday.
Hundreds gather to honor fallen K-9 officer
Sgt. Tom Lovejoy’s 2006 evaluation, the most recent to be placed in his file, showed that he met the department’s standards in every category. Lovejoy was described as a supervisor who needs little supervision. Under Lovejoy, the K-9 unit was recognized statewide for its training and skills.
This year, Lovejoy, who has headed the K-9 unit for more than four years, and Bandit finished fourth place at the Desert Dog Police K-9 Trials.
Before taking over the K-9 unit, Lovejoy had been in charge of neighborhood services, said Chandler police spokesman Sgt. Rick Griner. He once served as a detective for property crimes. On Aug. 13, 2001 he was promoted to sergeant.
Lovejoy has been under scrutiny since he returned home from working a special detail and left Bandit, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, in his police sport utility vehicle for about 13 hours.
The SUV was parked outside his home, which is on a county island so the case is being investigated by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office..
Lovejoy is on paid administrative leave while the Chandler police department investigates to see if he violated any department policies. Griner said police are waiting for MCSO to wrap up its criminal investigation before the police department finishes its administrative review.
Lovejoy’s file contained numerous letters of thanks and commendation from both the public and higher ranking officers.
One family wrote in 1993 to recognize Lovejoy as the officer who rescued their dog which they thought had been lost for good.
Other letters detail investigations, recognition for working 48 months without a reportable accident and speeches he gave to school children.
In 2002, he along with other officers helped raise $4,500 for Special Olympics. Two years later he helped other officers bust a gang that was impersonating police officers.
Scottsdale police wrote last year to thank Lovejoy and Bandit for helping maintain safety for patrons of an athletic event.
Related
Hundreds gather to honor fallen K-9 officer
Sheriff opens K-9’s hot-car death probe
VIDEO: Device alerts when car is too hot
VIDEO: Maricopa County Attorney will await investigation
Chandler police probe death of K-9 left in car almost 13 hours
VIDEO: Dog forgotten in car
VIDEO: Chandler PD speaks out
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