The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office bid farewell on Tuesday to a member of their K-9 unit, whose death was announced Sunday after undergoing emergency surgery.
“Our office, along with the K-9 unit, mourns the loss of K9 Zero and honors his dedication and sacrifice to our community,” the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office said in press release.
Tuesday’s funeral procession began at Modesto’s Standiford Emergency Veterinary Clinic and concluded at the Family Pet Mortuary in Turlock.
Zero served with Dep. Mason McKinstry for the Sheriff’s Patrol Division since January 2024 and was cross-trained in both patrol and narcotics detection. He was a three-year-old Belgian Malinois from the Czech Republic.
“For the Sheriff’s Department, a dog is a tool that’s really different than a car or a gun or what have you,” said Sgt. Nate Crain, public information officer for the sheriff’s office. “But when that dog is assigned to you, he becomes your partner. You depend on the animal.”
Crain was part of the department’s K-9 unit from 2010 to 2011.
“I spent more time with my K9 partner than I did with my own children,” said Crain. “That’s just a matter of fact. You’re with the dog all day during your shift, and then the dog comes home with you after the shift. It's truly a 24/7 commitment.”
The K-9 unit evolved from two handlers and two dogs in 1981. The original handlers were Detective Lydell Wall and Sgt. Lloyd Allen, their respective canines were Si and Bean. Today, the unit consists of 14 handlers and canines, two unit supervisors and a unit commander. The canine unit is dedicated to professional service through weekly training and on-going education of handlers and trainers.
Of the department's 14 K-9 tandems, 10 are assigned to patrol, two are assigned to the jail division, and two to the investigations division.
The county’s K-9 Unit provides trained police dogs and handlers 24-hours a day. Services include:
- Apprehension of criminal offenders
- Locate missing persons
- Searching buildings and property
- Detection of firearms and narcotics
- Providing public awareness demonstrations
Crain said there’s no timetable for finding Zero’s replacement. After a period of time, McKinstry will begin the process of selecting another K-9 partner, and county funds will be utilized.
“Oftentimes, a member of the community will donate funds to replace the animal for that deputy,” said Crain, whose retired K-9 partner, 10-year-old Colt, continues to live with the Crain family. “The sheriff’s K-9 unit has tremendous community support.”
