Middlesex Township gains chief, loses K-9 officer
MIDDLESEX TWP — On the same day the township’s police department officially swore in its first chief in two decades, it also waved goodbye to its K-9 officer after less than a year.
Justin Bouch, who was officially hired last month and began his duties earlier this week, took the oath to swear to defend the Constitution and the laws of Middlesex Township as the new police chief. District Judge Jack D. Ripper swore Bouch in during the monthly board of supervisors meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
This will be Bouch’s first time holding the position of chief at any department. Previously, he served as a sergeant in the Harrison Township Police Department. He also has experience as a corporal with the Frazer Township Police Department.
“I see that this area is growing rapidly and I’m looking to the future. I think that this will be a great place,” Bouch said. “I’ve been coming in for the last 10 to 14 days or so and my initial impression is that everyone in this township is lovely so far.”
With Bouch’s appointment, the Middlesex Township Police Department is being led by a chief for the first time since 2005, when Ed Brooks held the role.
In the intervening 20 years, the department was led by an officer-in-charge which reported directly to the township manager. Bryan Costanzo stepped down from that role last month, but remains on the force as a corporal.
Later in the meeting, supervisors accepted the resignation of K-9 officer William Rapone II, who had held the job for only eight months. Rapone’s resignation was dated July 18.
According to township manager Jeffrey Winkle, Rapone offered his resignation to return to his previous job at the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department in Armstrong County.
“He went back to where we hired him from,” Winkle said. “He had an opportunity, and he took it. We wish him all the best.”
Rapone is the fifth officer to resign from the township police department this year. Prior to this month, the department lost three full-time officers and one part-time officer.
As part of his resignation, Rapone took his K-9, a Belgian Malinois named Veegee, with him. Winkle said the township will be reimbursed for the cost of obtaining Veegee.
Winkle did not rule out the possibility of hiring another K-9 officer quickly, as they did when they hired Rapone in November 2024. Rapone and Veegee were brought in to replace Mark Heider and his K-9, Bolt, when they were transferred to the Saxonburg Police Department earlier that year.
“Those decisions are up to the new chief,” Winkle said. “He’ll be searching for one, and he’ll advise the board. Obviously, any decision on hiring is a board decision, but the board has always actively liked to have a K-9 officer.”
