New Haven Police Mourn Passing Of Award-Winning, Fearless, Loyal K9 Ax

NEW HAVEN, CT —New Haven police are mourning the death of "one of our own, K9 Ax."

Ax, who was a member of the New Haven Police Department for seven and a half years, died Monday.

"It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of one of our own, K9 Ax. K9 Ax peacefully passed away yesterday. Our thoughts & prayers are with K9 Ax’s partner, Sgt M. Feliciano," police wrote on Facebook.

"K9 Ax was an amazing and loyal dog who loved coming to work day in and day out to serve the citizens of New Haven," police said, adding that during his career, "he was responsible for numerous apprehensions of dangerous, violent criminals as well as taking large amounts of contraband off the streets."

"K9 Ax was a two time winner of the prestigious Daniel Wasson K-9 Memorial Award (2016 & 2017) which is awarded every year to a K9 for their outstanding service. The 2016 award was for a track conducted by K9 Ax in which he located two subjects who had just committed a home invasion. The 2017 award was for K9 Ax locating a hidden compartment inside of a motor vehicle which had a large amount of narcotics and a loaded firearm which was linked to a homicide.

K9 Ax also loved to compete in the Connecticut Dream Ride K9 Challenge in which he took 1st Place overall as well as 3rd Place overall.

K9 Ax, thank you for your fearless service to the City of New Haven. You will be greatly missed."