OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of their own. Their K9 officer named Szkipi has died at the age of 13.
“Szkipi passed away peacefully with his handler, Cpl. Patrick Mcintyre, by his side,” the department wrote on their Facebook page.
K9 Szkipi served with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years, and had a long and heroic career.
After successfully completing their rigorous scent training academy, K9 Szkipi and Cpl. Mcintyre were both certified as an Explosives Detection Team by the New Jersey State Police.
In addition, K9 Szkipi and Cpl. Mcintyre were members of the State of New Jersey’s Render Safe Task Force. The team was deployed not only in Ocean County but throughout New Jersey for both explosive sweeps and threats.
“K9 Szkipi loved his job and was very good at it. Working meant keeping the residents of Ocean County safe. Another bonus at work was being rewarded with either a towel or a ball while working with his best friend, Cpl. Mcintyre,” the department wrote.
“Cpl. Mcintyre and Szkipi were inseparable at work and at home. Their bond was as strong as they come. Szkipi was a beloved member of the Mcintyre family by every definition. He was a gentle pup who loved being pet by both his family and the public. He will never, ever be forgotten,” the department added.
