Holly MatkinCastle Rock, CO – Castle Rock Police Department (CRPD) K9 Ronin died on Feb. 8, after doctors unexpectedly discovered tumors around his heart.
Dozens of law enforcement officers and many K9s lined up outside the veterinary clinic to salute K9 Ronin during his final walk, KCNC reported.
“He – out of the corner of his eye – caught all of the emergency lights,” his partner, Castle Rock Police officer Todd Thompson told KDVR. “He actually got up and you could see him forcing himself up one last time to look out the window, and he was barking and whining at all of the patrol cars because he knew he was going to get to go to work.”
“Unfortunately, I had to tell him tonight was not the night we were going to get to go to work,” the heartbroken officer said.
K9 Ronin, a Belgian Malinois and German shepherd mix, was born in the Netherlands in 2012, according to the department’s website.
He and Officer Thompson worked together for over five years, KCNC reported.
“He was such an amazing dog with a great personality,” said Officer Thompson’s wife, Crystal. “My husband lost his best friend and partner. He is heartbroken and lost.”
“He must have been working when he was sick,” she told KCNC. “Always watching his dad’s six.”
Officer Thompson said he is stepping down from his role as a K9 handler in the wake of the loss of his partner, KCNC reported.
“It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our partner and friend, K-9 Officer Ronin,” the CRPD said in a Facebook post later that evening. “Due to unforeseen health complications, Ronin passed away tonight while surrounded by his family, partners, and friends.”
K9 Ronin joined the CRPD on Aug. 4, 2014.
“Ronin had a huge impact on both the law enforcement community and citizens of the Town of Castle Rock,” his department said. “It was our honor as members of the Castle Rock Police Department to have served with Ronin for the past five and a half years. Rest easy friend, we have the watch from here.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Castle Rock Police Department and Officer Thompson in the loss of K9 Ronin.