Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney.
When Horsham Township Police Department’s K-9 Mac and his handler Detective Kimberly Ngo recovered a cell phone in a park in Norristown, it was the big break law enforcement was looking for in a 2024 homicide case.
On Jan. 20, 2024, 35-year-old William Carter was shot and killed during a robbery in Norristown. Detectives believed that Carter’s cell phone was taken by suspects during the robbery and dumped in a park in the Norristown area.
Detective Ngo and K-9 Mac went out to survey the area, but initially did not find the cell phone. However, she came back with a better search plan, and eventually recovered the cell phone with her partner.
“Mac and Kim went out, I believe it was January day, it was freezing cold, and they couldn’t find it,” Horsham Lt. Larry Bozzomo said. “And then Kim came back and working with the law enforcement personnel, came up with a better search plan. Mac sniffed out the victim’s cell phone.”
Three men were eventually convicted in the slaying. Damon Brantley Jr., 18 and Daquan Allen, 29, both of Norristown, along with Jerry Butler, 28, of Philadelphia, were all found guilty by a jury.
For their efforts, Detective Ngo and K-9 Mac were honored on May 13 with commendations for their extraordinary efforts and exemplary work by Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele at a ceremony at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus.
In total, 21 law enforcement officers, an entire police department and K-9 Mac received commendations.
“Montgomery County has some of the finest law enforcement officers anywhere, and I’m honored to be able to showcase their incredible bravery, exceptional work and dedication to protecting and serving Montgomery County residents," said DA Steele. "I’m also very happy to recognize these civilians who’ve made a difference by their selfless acts to help victims. Montgomery County wouldn’t be the safe and wonderful place it is without this teamwork between law enforcement departments and agencies with assistance from civilians.”
Detective Ngo started with the Horsham Police Department in 2015 and quickly was promoted to the Detective Division in 2018, and has quickly earned a stellar reputation within the department.
“It was a pretty quick rise,” Lt. Bozzomo said. “If something happened to me personally, I’d want her investigating my case. “She’s an outstanding detective and good person.”
Detecive Ngo has been working with K-9 Mac since August 2023. Mac is Lab/Golden Retriever mix that specializes in detecting electronic storage devices such as cell phones, USB drives, SD cards, mini-SD cards, external hard drives, and hidden cameras.
K-9 Mac was trained by Jordan Detection K9 in Indiana and was acquired through donations from Operation Underground Railroad, The Asplundh Foundation, and State Rep. Melissa Cerrato.
