GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WTXF) - The Gloucester Township Police Department announced that retired K9 Nero passed away on December 31.
Their statement read in part:
"Nero had served alongside his partner and handler, Sgt. James Clark, from 2008 until 2016 while working as a narcotics and patrol canine… During their career they were instrumental in many investigations and arrests… K9 Nero will be truly missed by all of his brothers and sisters in the GTPD, as well as his community, who he had faithfully protected and served."
Nero was retired in 2016 when his handler was promoted to Sergeant of Police.
This K9 Team served with distinction and honor having received Distinguished Unit citations in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2015 for their assistance in various cases.
They also received a Life-Saving citation for tracking and locating an elderly Gloucester Township resident, who wandered from her home in the middle of the night during subzero temperatures, found suffering from hypothermia and laying on the side of a residence where she would have died if not discovered.
Sgt. Clark and K9 Nero were also known to their community and schools for having participated in countless GTPD Junior and Citizen Police Academies as well as many public demonstrations during their career.
Nero happily spent the last years at home with his family.