Mercer County Sheriff's Office mourns loss of K-9

Trenton, NJ (WTXF) - The men and women of the Mercer County Sheriff's Office are mourning the loss of a law enforcement canine that passed away on March 2.

K-9 Officer Nero was partnered for the past seven years with Mercer County Sheriff's Officer
Pat Papero. Together, their responsibilities were to respond to calls to search for explosives and served as a distinguished K-9 patrol dog as well.

Sheriff Kemler confirmed K-9 Officer Nero's unexpected death. His death, from an undetermined medical illness was suspected to be heart related.

Sheriff Kemler, who understands of the plight of K-9 officers, served in the K-9 division of the Trenton Police Department during the early years in his career.

According to Kemler, Officer Papero and Nero were working their usual detail with until midnight, they came home, and Nero passed away in his sleep overnight.

He was taken to NorthStar Veterinary Hospital in Robbinsville in the morning and pronounced dead.

K-9 Officer Nero was an eight-year-old German Shepard and had been in service to Mercer County law enforcement for seven years.

He was well cared for, lived in a comfortable setting, and was always fit for duty. K-9 Nero lived primarily in the home of Officer Papero and at the Mercer County Sheriff's Office - Airport Unit. Both he and Officer Papero completed extensive training at the K-9 Training Academy of the New Jersey State Police.

During his very active law enforcement career, K-9 Nero conducted over 200 searches for explosives that included threats at the airport, schools, government office buildings, and retail establishments.

K-9 Officer Nero provided explosive security for large-population events throughout Mercer County, including security details for visiting national and international dignitaries.

Most notably, K-9 Nero assisted extensively in the search for explosives at the Princeton University bomb scare in June 2013 and worked on the security detail at Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Officer Papero and his family, who provided Nero with a loving home and a great life.