In Loving Memory of
K-9 NERO
September 19, 2000

Handler: Officer Phillip Aufiero
New Castle County
3601 N. Dupont Hwy,
New Castle 19720
PHOTOS and info on Nero's Service
Nero, a veteran New Castle County police dog praised for his many acts of valor, died Tuesday night after a brief illness. "I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Nero," county police chief Col. Jack Cunningham said Wednesday. "He was much more than just a police K-9. He was a loyal friend and employee." The end came peacefully for Nero about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. "I let him out, and he came back in and laid down," his partner Officer Phillip Aufiero said. "I laid down next to him and he put his head on my lap and just closed his eyes."He's irreplaceable," he said, his voice filled with emotion. In August 1992, Nero saved Aufiero's life when a robbery suspect pulled out a pistol and tried to shoot the officer."Nero hit him and knocked the gun out of his hand," Aufiero said. During his 10-year career, "Nero the Hero" was responsible for seizing more than $1 million in drugs, cash and property, police spokesman Patrolman Trinidad Navarro said. As a result, he was the recipient of countless commendations for merit and valor, Navarro said. Aufiero and the Budapest-born canine were partners for a decade. Aufiero recalled picking him up in Raleigh, N.C., when Nero was only 18 months old. "He only understood Hungarian and I had to learn Hungarian to speak command," Aufiero said. In addition to catching criminals, Nero was credited with finding several lost children and missing Alzheimer's patients.  He was always a big hit at community functions, and with the schoolchildren he visited in Middletown during the past five years, Aufiero said. "He was an old guy but he loved to work," Aufiero said. "When he'd see me go out ... he'd always want to go." The K-9 veteran was forced to retire from the force late last month after undergoing emergency surgery. After the operation, the dog's health declined and Aufiero brought him home with him. "About the only thing he didn't like was the vet," he said. "He was happy with me, and I was happy with him and only wanted him to come home."  submitted by Dawn Lanhan