The Crystal Lake Police Department announced Monday the death of police canine Zeus, who was eight years old, and asked for the community’s thoughts during the “difficult time.”
The Crystal Lake Police Department said Monday morning that it was with “extremely heavy hearts” to announce the death of Canine Zeus.
Zeus suffered a medical emergency relating to cancer on Saturday.
“Please keep his partner, Officer Schack and his family in your thoughts during this difficult time,” the department said.
The Algonquin Police Department said it was “saddened” to learn of the unexpected death of Zeus over the holiday weekend.
“Our thoughts are with his handler, Officer Schack, and the entire CLPD family during this difficult time,” the department said.
“K9 Zeus was more than just a partner—he was a dedicated member of law enforcement who served with loyalty and courage. On many occasions, Zeus assisted us here in the Village of Algonquin, Illinois, and we are forever grateful for his service to our community,” the department added.
Zeus was eight years old at the time of his death. He was born on April 25, 2017, and joined the Crystal Lake Police Department in 2018.
Zeus, a German Shepherd, was originally from the Czech Republic.
The canine was trained in narcotics detection, article searches for discarded evidence, building searches, missing person searches, criminal suspect tracking and crowd control.
He also made many public appearances, including with community groups and school children, and participated in skill demonstrations.
The Crystal Lake Police Department now has only one canine named Cruise, a Golden Retriever who joined the force in 2023.
“Zeus and Cruise work tirelessly to keep our community safe, whether they’re tracking down suspects, assisting in search and rescue missions, or making everyday at the station a bit more “paw-some”. They’re more than just partners; they’re family,” the police department said last year on National Dog Day.