Ocean County, NJ Sheriff’s Office Mourns Sudden Death of K9 Bear

The officers and staff at the Ocean County Sheriff's Office are in mourning today after the sudden death of their K9 officer Bear.

The Ocen County Sheriff announced Bear's death on their Facebook page on Sunday, saying, "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that the Ocean County Sheriff's Office announces the sudden passing of K9 Bear."

Bear had been a K9 officer with the Ocean County Sheriff' for five years, handled by Sheriff's Officer Christine Casullo.

Bear, a 7-year-old German Shepherd, is being remembered for serving the citizens of Ocean County fearlessly and with a tremendous amount of loyalty. Over his 5 years with the department, Bear was responsible for numerous explosive sweeps in Ocean County as well as assisting various state & federal task forces.

Before Bear's passing, the Ocean County Sheriff K9 department had 11 service canines including 3 Bloodhounds, 2 narcotic detections, 3 explosive detections, 1 arson detection, 1 patrol, and 1 cadaver canine, according to their website.