The Auburn Police Department announced the passing of K9 Police Officer Jax on Thursday, March 11.

K9 Jax, a German Shepherd, joined the Auburn Police Department in November 2016. He came to the department from Germany by way of Creative Kennels in Sacramento, CA. His handler Officer Tim Nunn and then Sergeant Dan O’Neil “interviewed” the young german shepherd to be a generalist K-9 before welcoming him to Washington on November 10, 2016.

Nunn and Jax completed the state’s K-9 accreditation training and began patrol work as a team at the start of 2017. Shortly into his career, Jax was outfitted with a specialty canine tactical vest through a generous donation from J&D’s Hydraulic and Repair Co. Inc.

The team’s first track to end in an arrest was February 5, 2017. A suspect fled from officers twice before crashing her vehicle and fleeing on foot. Jax located her hiding in a Pacific lumber yard. According to the Auburn Police Department Jax and Nunn deployed 182 times resulting in the arrest of 90 subjects.

Source: APD

“Jax has been battling an intestinal disorder [that] ultimately caused liver failure. Jax underwent surgery recently with the hope that he would eventually return to full duty,” states the Auburn Police Department announcement. “Unfortunately Jax’s condition worsened over the last two days.”

Jax passed away Thursday morning with Officer Nunn at his side.

“Jax will be missed by the Auburn Police Department and the officers he served with,” reads the police department’s announcement. “The impact that Jax had on the Auburn Community, which is safer because of his service, will not soon be forgotten. Officer Nunn and his family are in our thoughts as they mourn the loss of their beloved partner and pet.”

Chief O’Neil confirmed this will not be considered a line of duty death. No memorial is planned at this time.

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Photos courtesy APD and by the Auburn Examiner

A new generalist K-9, Xena, was recently donated to the department. O’Neil shared Xena and Officer Stout are doing great and are expected to certify on March 31st or April 1st.

Our hearts go out to Officer Nunn, his family, and the Auburn Police Department as they mourn the loss of K9 Jax.

Sources:

To write this article the Auburn Examiner referenced the Auburn Police Department’s statement, Facebook page and spoke with Police Chief Dan O’Neil. No request for comment from Officer Nunn was made.