Nero conducted more than 200 explosive searches in Mercer County and provided security for Super Bowl XLVIII. He was 8 years old.
MERCER COUNTY - An 8-year-old bomb-sniffing German Shepherd from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office unexpectedly died last week, authorities said.
K-9 Officer Nero and his human partner Mercer County Sheriff's Officer Pat Papero. K-9 Officer "Nero" and his human partner of seven years, sheriff's Officer Pat Papero, worked their usual detail until the end of shift March 2 and Nero died in his sleep that night, Mercer County Sheriff's Office said.
"The men and women of the Mercer County Sheriff's Office mourn the loss of K-9 Officer Nero," the release said. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Officer Papero and his family, who provided Nero with a loving home and a great life."
Nero was taken to NorthStar Veterinary Hospital in Robbinsville the following morning, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was not known, but suspected to be related to his heart, according to a release.
Bomb-sniffing dogs searching Princeton University for explosives
Nero lived primarily in the home of Officer Papero and at the Mercer County Sheriff's Office Airport Unit. Nero and Officer Papero completed extensive training at the K-9 Training Academy of the New Jersey State Police, the release said.
Nero conducted more than 200 searches for explosives that included threats at the airport, schools, government office buildings, and retail stores. Nero provided explosive security for large-population events throughout Mercer County, including security details for visiting national and international dignitaries, the office said.
Notably, 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, the office said.
Keith Brown may be reached at kbrown@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBrownTrenton. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.