Mentor Police Say Goodbye to Good Dog and Good Officer

Mentor Police Department lost its youngest officer, K-9 Niko; and, even when counted in dog years, his career ended too soon.

Niko died last Tuesday because of gastric problems, Mentor Police Chief Dan Llewellyn said.

In a literal sense, Niko was the police officer that the city's denizens paid for.

Mentor's businesses and residents donated $8,900 so the police department could buy a new K-9 officer when K-9 Bronco died after he was hit by a car in 2006.

Now the city is once again without a police dog.

"The department's K-9 program will continue, but we have no timeline in place," Llewellyn said when asked about filling Niko's position.

For now, Niko's handler, Patrolman Joe Primiano, mourns the loss of his partner. Mentor Police K-9s live with their handler so, while Niko was property of the city, he was also a part of Primiano's family, Llewellyn said.

"The whole family was devastated," the chief said.

Niko died suddenly overnight between May 3 and May 4. He had trained the day before and seemed to have been fine when he went to sleep. Llewellyn called it "a tragedy."

Niko joined the department as a 2-year-old in 2007. He won a trio of awards from the German Shepherd Dog Club of America during his tenure. He was named Rookie of the Year and a Hero Dog for Public Service in 2008. In 2009, he received another award for excellence in tracking.

Niko's nose was invaluable while searching for a lost person or hidden drug stash.

"When you bring a K-9 on the scene, he gets respect from the other officers," Llewellyn said.

However, Niko also served in a friendlier role. He functioned as the department's ambassador at schools, the Lake Metroparks Farmpark and annual Mutt Strut.

"He helped break down the barrier with kids," Llewellyn said. "They realized that he represented the police department but he was also their friend."

Mentor's K-9 program is supported entirely by donations. Llewellyn said they have received gifts as small as $10 and it all makes a difference. Anyone who wants to donate toward the program can call the Mentor Police Department at 440-974-5760.