Feb. 11--
The El Cerrito Police Department issued this announcement late Saturday afternoon:
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of El Cerrito Police K-9 King.
On February 10, 2012 while off-duty, El Cerrito Police K-9 King began showing signs of physical distress. His partner, Officer Joshua Del Prado, took King to the Veterinarian where emergency surgery was performed in an effort to identify the source of King's illness, and to find a remedy.
Once surgery was performed, it became clear that King had suffered a catastrophic and unavoidable internal malady for which medical care could not repair.
King's condition was not survivable. With his partner and other members of the El Cerrito Police Department by his side, King died.
Hired in late 2010, King was the first Police K-9 in service in the El Cerrito Police Department. He was purchased after the community and the El Cerrito Police Employees Association raised funds to start the K-9 program; one where interaction with the community was as important as apprehending offenders.
King participated in local safety fairs, and community events. Two of the notable calls where King was the key participant include finding an elderly Alzheimer's patient who had wandered away from his home and had become lost; it was King who tracked and located the man. King also apprehended a suspect after a vehicle and foot pursuit where it was clear that the suspect had no concern for public safety as evidenced by his flight and hiding from officers. King, instead of a police officer, put himself in harm's way to remove the man from beneath the vehicle.
No memorial events are planned at this time. We welcome any condolences from our community at the front counter of the Public Safety Building located at 10900 San Pablo Ave. El Cerrito.
Copyright 2012 - The Oakland Tribune, Calif.
