Beloved therapy and tracking K-9 served the Cocoa community for nearly a decade and received the prestigious American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — The Cocoa Police Department is inviting residents to celebrate the retirement of one of its most beloved officers, K-9 Copper, as the American Black and Tan Coonhound concludes nearly a decade of dedicated service while celebrating his 10th birthday.
The free, family-friendly retirement celebration will take place Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Riverfront Park in Cocoa.
The event will feature photo opportunities with Copper, giveaways, paw print art, cupcakes for both humans and dogs, and an opportunity for the community to thank him for his years of extraordinary service.
The family-friendly celebration will include photo opportunities, giveaways, paw print art and birthday treats as residents thank the beloved therapy and tracking K-9 for nearly a decade of dedicated service.
An American Black and Tan Coonhound, Copper joined the Cocoa Police Department in 2016 and officially began serving in February 2017. Throughout his career, he filled a unique dual role as both a tracking K-9 and a registered therapy dog.
In recognition of his extraordinary service, Copper received the 2018 American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence, one of the organization’s highest honors recognizing dogs whose work has made a profound impact on the lives of others.
During his years of service, Copper assisted officers in searches for missing and endangered people while providing comfort and emotional support to victims of crime during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Whether sitting beside a frightened child, comforting an elderly victim, or simply offering a calming presence following a traumatic event, Copper became an invaluable resource for the Cocoa Police Department and the community it serves.
Beyond his work in the field, Copper became one of the department’s most recognizable ambassadors.
Alongside his handler, he visited schools, attended community events throughout Brevard County, and met thousands of residents, helping strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the public.
Police officials said Copper’s calm and friendly demeanor helped bridge gaps within the community by opening conversations, easing fears, and demonstrating that public safety is strengthened through compassion, trust, and personal connection.
The Cocoa Police Department invites everyone whose life has been touched by Copper—or anyone who simply wants to wish him a happy retirement—to attend the celebration at Riverfront Park.
As Copper closes this chapter of distinguished service, the department hopes the community will join in honoring a remarkable K-9 whose dedication helped make Cocoa a little safer, a little kinder, and a lot more connected.
