The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department is mourning the death of one of its K9 dogs, the Department told TLS.

Five-year-old Atos (pictured) died this week after suffering from cancer, a Department official said.

The Department released the following statement:

“On behalf of Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the entire staff at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office we mourn the loss of K-9 Atos. Atos passed away yesterday due to complications from Cancer. Atos while only five years old accomplished a lot in his career. Atos along with his handler Officer Christine Casullo were in involved with the Super Bowl XLVIII security and protection detail. Atos was also involved with Detect and Render Safe Program. Recently K-9 Atos and Officer Casullo were involved with the protection detail of Pope Francis while in Philadelphia. The Ocean County Law Enforcement community is not the same without K-9 Atos today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Casullo, Sgt John Adams, and entire K-9 Unit.”

Atos, one of eight Department K9 dogs, was Officer Christine Casullo’s unit since 2011.

The Casullo-Atos duo has been in Lakewood many times over the past few years to investigate suspicious packages and other items.

[TLS]

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