Police Office in Southern Ocean ER to be Named for Late K-9 'Diesel'

A police office at Southern Ocean Medical Center will be named for a Long Beach Township K-9 that died unexpectedly last month.

Diesel, a German Shepherd that had worked with Patrolman Michael Thompson since July 2004, died suddenly in July after a cancerous mass erupted in his body, officials said at the time.

After a proclamation honoring Diesel's and surrounding communities was given to Thompson at the Aug. 3 township commissioners meeting, Mayor Joseph Mancini announced a police office which will be included in the will be named for the dog.

Mancini said the local Policemen's Benevolent Association had donated money toward the expansion project, so it was fitting for the room to be named for the late K-9.

Thompson was joined by about 20 township police officers at the short ceremony.

Diesel aided the police department in drug busts and was trained in criminal apprehension, tracking and locating missing or endangered persons, and article or evidence searches. Diesel and Thompson also competed in the 2007 USPCA Region 15 K9 Trials, and took first place in the competition, 'Top Dog,' with a score of 687.32 out of 700.

"He was a phenomenal dog," said an emotional Thompson, looking back toward his fellow officers at the commissioners meeting. "It breaks my heart that you guys are doing this right now."