PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police announced the passing of K9 Jr., a longtime member of the department, following a short illness and declining health.
K9 Jr. joined the force in the fall of 2016 and began active duty in December of that year. He was initially assigned to Officer Tony Yauch before being partnered with Officer Thomas “Casey” Lockard in May 2019.
Known for his exceptional skills, K9 Jr. excelled in both patrol work and explosives detection. Police officials described him as one of the department’s top-performing K9s, consistently standing out in training exercises.
“He hit like a freight train and any of the current K9 handlers would agree he was one of the best in the business,” the department said in a statement.
K9 Jr.’s dedication and performance made a lasting impact on the force. His passing is deeply felt by his fellow officers and handlers.