Hazlet PD Mourns Loss Of K-9 Diablo After Decade Of Service

HAZLET, NJ - One of Hazlet's four-legged finest has passed.

In a Friday morning Facebook post, the police department announced the loss of K-9 Diablo, who has assisted the department from September 2010 until his retirement in January 2020.

"Today we mourn the loss of our beloved partner, K-9 Diablo," the department wrote. "Together, the K-9 team spent a significant time training in the areas of Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension. He faithfully served the residents of Hazlet and surrounding towns until his retirement on January 1, 2020."

The K-9 has received several awards for illegal narcotic seizures and tracking of missing and wanted persons throughout nearly a decade in service. Notably, he's assisted in a heroin bust near Beers Street School and a foot chase following an attempted burglary in Middletown.

In the social media post, Hazlet police thanked the TouchStone Veterinary Center, which assisted with making Diablo comfortable during his last hours, as well as the officers and numerous K-9 teams around Monmouth County that came to pay their respects to the lost department member.

"He was very friendly and always brightening spirits around the police station. He could be found on any given day at the Hazlet Schools showing off his skills to young students," the police department's tribute continued. "He was loved by all and he will be missed."