K9 Onyx

Onyx was born in Hungary in 1999. When I was selected to be a canine handler in 2001, Onyx and I were trained through the St. Paul Police Department Canine Unit. Onyx was USPCA certified as a Patrol Dog 1 and a narcotics detection dog. Onyx and I were assigned to all three shifts during our career together.

Two highlights of Onyx's career were:
I was attacked by an intoxicated male I was trying to arrest - he charged informing me he was going to kill me. He had a glass liter bottle of alcohol and was attempting to hit me with it. I advised him he was under arrest while I applied O.C. pepper spray to his face. The pepper spray had no affect. I told the suspect if he did not comply he would be apprehended by a police canine. The suspect was about 3 - 4 feet away and threw the bottle at my head. At the same time I activated my bail out system and Onyx exited the patrol unit and apprehended the suspect in the groin area allowing me to handcuff and affect the arrest.

On another occasion at 0100 hours a suspect who had been huffing glue attempted to stab his mother with a sword and fled a house in a community about 30 miles away. We were summoned to assist. We arrived and Onyx performed a track through heavy forest. We tracked the suspect for about 45 minutes and ended up back at the house. The suspect was given a chance to surrender but did not. Onyx was sent into the house and apprehended the juvenile sitting on a chair with the sword in his lap.

Onyx performed 357 street and interdiction narcotics searches. He also was a special canine who accepted the public well. Onyx met over 20,000 people performing 230 public demonstrations. Many of the people actually petted Onyx.

Onyx lost 20 pounds in two months after being diagnosed with a pancreas issue. When the medication did not work Onyx was found to have cancer in numerous organs. It was obvious he would not be able to have a quality of life and he was humanely euthanized.

Onyx worked the street until one week before his death. He loved going to work everyday and is greatly missed by the officers and public he worked with everyday.

Sergeant Mark Lykken
Fargo Police Department