Police Department Invites Community to Meet New K-9 Unit on July 29

Members of the community are invited to meet Patrolman Justin Ellenton and K-9 Stryka at Ipswich Public Library Vehicle Day.

Police Chief Paul Nikas and the Ipswich Police Department invite the community to attend Ipswich Public Library Vehicle Day, and meet the Department’s new K-9 and K-9 Officer.

Vehicle Day will be held on Friday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot of Ascension Memorial Episcopal Church, 31 County St.

Patrolman Justin Ellenton and K-9 Stryka joined the Ipswich Police Department in May. Patrolman Ellenton has been a police officer for 18 years, most recently with the Danvers Police Department.

Patrolman Ellenton is a member of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council’s K-9 Unit and SWAT Team. He received the George L. Hanna Memorial Award for Valor in 2014.

Stryka is an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois. He came to Fox Hill Farm in Amesbury from Albania as a puppy in 2015, and became Officer Ellenton’s partner. Stryka is nationally certified as a Patrol and Narcotics Police K-9.

The Ipswich Police Department wishes to thank those who have assisted the K-9 program:

  • Officer Corey Salvo of the Peabody Police Department for training and certification.
  • Complete K-9 LLC, which donated a cruiser kennel insert to ensure Stryka is in a safe compartment while on patrol.
  • MA Vest-a-Dog, which donated a temperature control system to ensure Stryka is safe while unattended in the K-9 cruiser.
  • Blueline Enterprises of Danvers, which installed donated equipment and contributed lights, radio, siren, and decals for the cruiser.
  • Ipswich Animal Care, which ensures Stryka is healthy and at peak performance.
  • Aubuchon Hardware of Ipswich for donating top line dog food for Stryka.

 

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