Sarasota Police mourns death of K-9 officer

The Sarasota Police Department is mourning the loss of K-9 officer Nero who died on Thursday morning after battling cancer. Nero served the SPD along side his partner Sgt. Michael McHale during his eight years with the department.

The German shepherd joined the SPD in June 2006 and served eight years with the department where was certified to patrol and search for narcotics.

Part of Nero’s responsibilities included representing the department in the community for school presentations, events the Sarasota Police Department Citizen Academy.

“Our K-9 Officers are incredibly effective Police Officers; they are fearless, courageous, and will not hesitate to lay down their life to save a fellow Officer or citizen,” said Sarasota Police Department Capt. Patrick Robinson in a release. “K-9 Officer Nero exemplified those qualities. SPD K-9 Officers are members of our Police family and K-9 Officer Nero’s passing will be felt by our organization for some time.”