Monmouth Sheriff K-9 battles cancer, remains on duty
Evan, a seven-year-old Labrador Retriever, remains on duty at the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office despite his battle with cancer. (Photo courtesy of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office)
A Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9, renowned for his narcotics detection talents, remains on the job while battling cancer.
Recently diagnosed with lymphoma, Evan, a seven-year-old Labrador Retriever, has been working on the front lines of the war on drugs for five years, according to an agency release.
Despite his personal battle, oncology specialists from the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, who are administering the course of chemotherapy treatments, have recommended that Evan continue his duties.
“The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is extremely saddened to learn that this extraordinary member of our K-9 unit has fallen ill,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “We are grateful that Evan will continue to play a pivotal role in ridding the streets of drugs that plague our county and wish him a healthy recovery.”
A graduate of the Holmdel Township Police Canine Academy, under the direction of Sheriff’s Officer Kurt Kroeper, who began working with Evan in 2009, the pair has seized more than $1.1 million in cash and a significant amount of narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.
The efforts also led the arrests of hundreds of individuals.
Away from the front lines, Evan is also known throughout throughout Monmouth County, as he and Kroeper conduct K-9 demonstrations at schools and community events throughout the year.
“As K-9 partners, we see the good and bad and go through the best and worst of times together,” said Kroeper. “I’m grateful Evan and I will remain intact as a law enforcement team and appreciative to the entire Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office for its support during this difficult time.”
While the agency budgets funding annually for veterinary services, from which Evan’s treatment will be paid, donations to its K-9 Unit are being accepted. The unit consists of five sheriff’s officer/K-9 handlers and dogs, including one narcotic detection team, two explosive detection teams, one narcotic/patrol team, and one explosive/patrol team.
“We are hopeful that Evan’s prognosis remains good,” said Sheriff Golden. “We take great pride in our agency’s highly trained K-9 teams. They have proven to be a valuable asset in promoting law enforcement, maintaining public safety and combating the proliferation of drugs in Monmouth County.”
Checks can be made payable to the Monmouth County Treasurer and sent to 50 East Main St., Freehold, N.J. 07728, with a letter indicating the funds are for the MCSO K-9 Donation Fund. The sheriff’s office K-9 donation fund was established in 1997 after the agency lost one of its own, K-9 Solo. Solo, a German Shepherd, was shot during an attempted apprehension of a wanted individual.
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