Holly MatkinLake County, IL – Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) K9 Diesel died on Sept. 11 after being diagnosed with an advanced, aggressive cancer.
K9 Diesel would have turned eight years old on Sept. 15, according to his department.
He passed away with his partner, LCSO Deputy Craig Somerville, by his side.
“It is with a very heavy heart we announce the passing of Sheriff’s Canine Diesel,” the LCSO said in a Facebook post on Sept. 12. “Canine Diesel will be missed and mourned by all members of the sheriff’s office and the Lake County community.”
K9 Diesel began serving the LCSO in early 2015, according to his department.
He is credited for having found dozens of missing endangered people, as well as fleeing felons and significant quantities of contraband.
“Canine Diesel anxiously awaited every day for Deputy Somerville to open the squad car door, so he could go to work,” the LCSO noted.
Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said the loss of the beloved police canine has been difficult for the entire department.
“Canine Diesel was a sworn member of our staff and added such tremendous value to our office and to the community,” Sheriff Idleburg said. “His accomplishments throughout the years will never be forgotten and we will forever be grateful for his service to Lake County. Deputy Somerville lost the closest partner a deputy could have, and we mourn with him.”
Nearly 900 community members offered their condolences in response to the LCSO’s Facebook post.
“The community lost a great officer, but Deputy Somerville lost something even greater,” one message read. “My heart goes out to him and all whose lives were made better by Diesel.”
“RIP Diesel… thank you for your service,” another person wrote. “My thoughts and prayers are with you Deputy Somerville and all of Lake County Sheriff’s department. Thank you all for what you [do] to keep us safe. Diesel you will be missed sweet boy!!!”
**Lake County Sheriff’s Office Mourns the Passing of Canine Diesel**https://t.co/IOeDUr8JPa pic.twitter.com/qScBk4o3xy
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) September 12, 2021
🐾🐕 Celebrate #NationalDogDay with some of your favorite Lake County K9s!! K9 Boomer, K9 Dax, K9 Diesel, and K9 Duke are all getting extra bones today! 🐾🐕 pic.twitter.com/VV8FH2JXZx
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) August 26, 2019
Today is International Dog Day and we want to celebrate all nine of our fabulous canine Lake County employees at the Lake County Sheriff’s, Public Defender’s and State’s Attorney’s offices. Thanks for all you do Boomer, Browser, Danno, Dax, Diesel, Duke, Hitch, Mitch and Simba! pic.twitter.com/cVCBAtDML9
— Lake County IL Gov (@LakeCountyIL) August 26, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Somerville in the loss of K9 Diesel.
Sandy Malone
