K-9 Unit
Law Enforcement Division — Canine Unit
About the K-9 Unit
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office K-9 units are called upon year-round to assist local police departments with narcotics detection, explosive detection and criminal or missing person searches.
During the days and weeks immediately following the World Trade Center attack, two Sheriff's K-9 teams worked closely with the Port Authority Police to provide explosive detection searches at the bridges and tunnels leading to New York City. During the 10 days following the attack, Sheriff's Office K-9 teams conducted explosive detection searches on over one thousand vehicles at the border crossings between New Jersey and New York.
The Sheriff's Office K-9 units undergo rigorous ongoing training programs to maintain proficiency in basic skills and ensure continued effective performance in the field. Each K-9 team must complete a state-mandated 10-week training course at a certified K-9 training facility. After completing this initial training, Sheriff's K-9 teams must maintain at least eight hours of in-service training each month.
Meet the K-9 Team
Hover or tap any card to learn about our active duty K-9 officers
K-9 Axe
Labrador Retriever
🐾 Tracking Team
Handler
S/O John Traynor
K-9 Blue
S.O. Douglas Marino
K-9 Blue
Belgian Malinois
🐾 Patrol / Explosives
Handler
S/O Douglas Marino
K-9 Fuze
S/O Ralph Irizarry
K-9 Fuze
Belgian Malinois
🐾 Patrol / Explosives
Handler
S/O Ralph Irizarry
K-9 Harley
S/O Devon Mockus
K-9 Harley
Black Labrador Retriever
🐾 Explosives Team
Handler
S/O Devon Mockus
K-9 Mack
S/O Matthew Lavin
K-9 Mack
German Shorthaired Pointer
🐾 Narcotics Team
Handler
S/O Matthew Lavin
K-9 Maggie
S/O Elizabeth Imbriacco
K-9 Maggie
Bloodhound
🐾 Tracking Team
Handler
S/O Elizabeth Imbriacco
K-9 Maverick
S/O Christopher Paletto
K-9 Maverick
German Shorthaired Pointer
🐾 Explosives Team
Handler
S/O Christopher Paletto
K-9 Moose
S/O Joseph Szotak
K-9 Moose
Bloodhound
🐾 Tracking Team
Handler
S/O Joseph Szotak
K-9 Reese
S/O Ralph Irizarry
K-9 Reese
Bloodhound
🐾 Tracking Team
Handler
S/O Ralph Irizarry
K-9 Remi
S/O Nancy Hoffman
K-9 Remi
German Shorthaired Pointer
🐾 Narcotics Team
Handler
S/O Nancy Hoffman
Retired K-9 Officers
Honoring those who served with distinction and now enjoy a well-earned retirement
K-9 Edge
German Shepherd
Handler
Captain David Lasko
🐾A Career of Distinguished Service
After years of dedicated service alongside Captain Lasko, K-9 Edge enjoys a well-earned retirement. His unwavering loyalty, sharp instincts, and tireless work in patrol and narcotics detection helped keep Monmouth County safe — a legacy of service that will not be forgotten.
Fallen in the Line of Duty
Honoring those who gave everything in service to Monmouth County
🎖️
End of Watch
The following K-9 officer made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. His courage and loyalty will never be forgotten.
K-9 Solo
German Shepherd
Handler
Officer Robin Eckel
Years of Service
1994 – 1998
Sheriff Remembers Solo — K-9 Killed in the Line of Duty
On June 8, 1998, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office lost a part of their team when K-9 Solo was killed while trying to apprehend a suspect in Bradley Beach.
The male suspect had been barricaded inside a home for 22 hours. After other tactics failed, Solo was deployed to make the apprehension — and was shot by the suspect upon entering the home. The suspect was eventually apprehended by police.
Solo was a certified patrol dog, credited with 16 apprehensions. In 1997, he located 19 missing persons.
🐾
Friends of Solo Foundation Inc.
A Non-Profit Organization
At Friends of Solo, we are dedicated to protecting the brave K-9 officers who risk their lives alongside law enforcement every day. Our mission is to equip these highly trained working dogs with essential safety gear — including ballistic body armor, field trauma kits, oxygen kits, police cruiser alarm systems, and cooling vests.
K-9 officers play a critical role in law enforcement, from detecting narcotics and explosives to tracking and apprehending criminals and locating missing persons.
Solo's Legacy Lives On
Solo's legacy lives on through our work, ensuring K-9 officers receive the protection they deserve. With your support, we can continue outfitting these four-legged heroes with the gear they need to stay safe on the job.
In Memoriam — K-9 Officers
A tribute to those who served with honor and loyalty
🕯️
Their Memory Lives On Through Their Handlers
Though they are no longer with us, the bond between these K-9 officers and their handlers is unbreakable. Their courage, loyalty, and sacrifice are woven into the fabric of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office — carried forward every day by the men and women they served alongside.
K-9 Ari
German Shepherd
Born 2009 🐾 Passed 2023
Patrol / Explosives
Handler
Retired S/O Joseph Arentino
K-9 Chino
German Shepherd
In Loving Memory
Patrol / Explosives
Handler
Retired S/O Robin Eckel
K-9 Cida
German Shepherd
Passed 2021
Explosives
Handler
Retired S/O George Jelks
K-9 Diesel
Black Labrador
In Loving Memory
Narcotics
Handler
Retired S/O Tom Duda
K-9 Duke
Black Labrador
In Loving Memory
Narcotics
Handler
Retired Lt. Sal Garrone
K-9 Evan
Golden Retriever
Born 2007 🐾 Passed 2014
Narcotics
Handler
Retired Sgt. Kurt Kroeper
K-9 Falco
German Shepherd
Born 2003 🐾 Passed 2015
Explosives
Handler
Retired S/O James Fay
K-9 Gunner
Black Labrador
Born 2014 🐾 Passed 2023
Narcotics
Handler
Retired Sgt. Kurt Kroeper
K-9 Homie
Bloodhound
In Loving Memory
Tracking
Handler
Retired S/O Robin Eckel
K-9 Jake
Golden Retriever
Born 2003 🐾 Passed 2013
Explosives
Handler
Retired Lt. Pat Hamor
K-9 Leo
German Shepherd
Born 2018 🐾 Passed 2023
Patrol / Explosives
Handler
Sgt. Mike Deluca
K-9 Leo
German Shepherd
In Loving Memory
Patrol
Handler
Retired Lt. Sal Garrone
K-9 Lexi
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
In Loving Memory
Explosives
Handler
Retired S/O Robin Eckel
K-9 Nanook
German Shepherd
Born 2010 🐾 Passed 2018
Patrol / Explosives
Handler
Retired S/O Anthony Muscarella
K-9 Niki
Bloodhound
In Loving Memory
Tracking
Handler
Retired S/O Robin Eckel
K-9 Rocky
German Shepherd
Passed 2018
Explosives
Handler
Retired S/O Tom Duda
K-9 Savanah
Bloodhound
In Loving Memory
Tracking
Handler
Retired S/O Robin Eckel
K-9 Skye
Bloodhound
Born 2014 🐾 Passed 2024
Tracking
Handler
Retired Sgt. Kurt Kroeper
K-9 Snooper
Bloodhound
In Loving Memory
Tracking
Handler
Retired S/O Robin Eckel
K-9 Tango
German Shepherd
Born 2013 🐾 Passed 2023
Patrol / Narcotics
Handler
S/O Mike Mindo
K-9 Ubie
Golden Retriever
In Loving Memory
Narcotics
Handler
Retired S/O Tom Duda
K-9 Unit Gallery
Photos from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit
