Plainfield Mourning Loss Of Police Dog

(CBS) -- The Plainfield Police Department is mourning one of its own as a police dog died suddenly at the end of his shift yesterday, reports WBBM's Regine Schlesinger.

Sergeant Mike Fisher says Officer Brian Wagner and his partner of the last eight years, Aron, a 10-year-old German Shepherd, were working their shift together yesterday when Aron fell ill and had to be euthanized. Sgt. Fisher says the two had a remarkable policing career together.

"Criminal patrol where they apprehended suspects; found narcotics; found missing persons. And then, on the other side of that spectrum, they were absolutely fantastic with going to schools, doing demonstrations and just being an overall complete package of community policing."

Sgt. Fisher says everyone's grieving, especially Officer Wagner.

"He's not only his family dog, but, he's his police partner, riding with him in the car. And that dog is willing to give his life for him."

Sgt. Fisher says everyone in the department knew that at 10-years-old, Aron was nearing the end of his career but, thought retirement would come before death.