K-9 Kilo Follows Officer to Georgia

By Dave Vieser — The Cornelius Town Board recently authorized the sale of K-9 Kilo to the Covington, Georgia, Police Department.

Officer Bonestell and K9 Kilo

Kilo previously served alongside his handler, Officer Matthew Bonestell, in Cornelius.

“Recently, however, Officer Bonestell’s wife obtained a new job in Covington, Georgia, near Atlanta, and they opted to both relocate there,” said Cornelius Police Chief David Baucom. “Matthew was then hired by the Covington Police Department and, as it turns out, they needed a K-9.”

Covington offered to pay Cornelius $12,000 for Kilo, and since there is not another CPD K-9 handler available, Kilo’s services are no longer needed by the Cornelius police.

Baucom said this was the best solution for all concerned.

“When our officers become handlers for K-9s, they really bond together. By selling Kilo to Covington, we can preserve that bond between Kilo and Officer Bonestell for the benefit of citizens in Covington.”