Pasadena Police Canine Dies on Sunday

Corporal Matt Widger and Nico. Photo courtesy Pasadena Police Dpt.

[UPDATED] A police dog that aided the Pasadena Police Department for nearly 10 years died Sunday, according to Lt. William Grisafe.

Nico had been partnered with Cpl. Matt Widger for the past eight years.

Widger noticed Thursday that Nico developed a cough and took him to the veterinarian. Although the dog was given medicine, the cough got worse over the weekend.

On Sunday, Widger took the dog back to the veterinarian, who diagnosed the dog with lung cancer.

Nico died at the veterinarian’s while undergoing treatment.

Nico was a dual-purpose K9 trained for patrol duties as well as narcotics detection.

“He was the Department’s oldest dog and will be missed,” according to a Police Department statement. “His service to the Pasadena Community and the Pasadena Police Department has been significant over the past eight years, helping to take multiple suspects into custody and locating large quantities of narcotics.”