Lehigh Township’s longtime K-9 officer Jonathan Roth has been promoted to sergeant, a move the township supervisors approved in a split vote Tuesday night.

Roth, who joined the department in 2005 and has partnered with K-9 Cash since 2019, was recognized for his leadership by Officer in Charge Sgt. John Henry.

“Roth has always shown strong leadership,” Henry said

Supervisors voted in favor of the promotion, with the exception of Cindy Miller, who said she would not comment on her vote because it was a personnel matter.

Roth will serve a one-year probation period.

During the ceremony, Roth’s wife, Lexi, and daughter, Sophia, pinned his new badge as Cash looked on.

Fellow Lehigh Township officers attended, along with members of the Walnutport and Slatington police departments, Magistrate Robert Hawke, and many residents.

Roth holds bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and forensic science from Alvernia College and a master’s in criminal justice with a concentration in digital forensics from DeSales University.

His specialty duties include crash reconstruction, K-9 handling, Taser instruction, field training, and child car seat safety.

He also coordinates traffic safety grants for 17 municipalities and has served as a counselor for Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadets since 2007.