West Hartford Police K9 Onyx Dies After Battle With Lymphoma

The certified patrol and narcotics detection dog had a distinguished career before his unexpected passing.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:49pm

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West Hartford Police K9 Onyx, a SWAT-integrated dog certified in patrol work and narcotics detection, has died after an unexpected battle with lymphoma. Onyx had a distinguished career, participating in numerous SWAT callouts, conducting narcotic sniffs, locating firearms, tracking and locating criminals and emotionally disturbed persons, and assisting with finding lost juveniles. The police department has placed a cruiser in front of the station as a memorial to honor the beloved K9 officer.

Why it matters

The loss of a police K9 is deeply felt within the law enforcement community, as these highly trained dogs play a vital role in public safety and criminal investigations. Onyx's passing highlights the risks and challenges K9 officers face, even when not in the line of duty.

The details

Onyx was certified in 2021 in patrol work and narcotics detection, and was a SWAT-integrated K9 who participated in numerous SWAT callouts during his career. He conducted narcotic sniffs on patrol, worked with the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, and helped locate several kilograms of illegal narcotics and over a quarter million dollars in seized drug money. Onyx also located multiple firearms during motor vehicle stops and assisted in tracking and locating criminals, emotionally disturbed persons, and lost juveniles.

  • Onyx was certified as a K9 officer in 2021.
  • Onyx passed away in April 2026 after an unexpected battle with lymphoma.

The players

Onyx

A police K9 officer with the West Hartford Police Department, certified in 2021 for patrol work and narcotics detection.

Officer Tim Camerl

Onyx's handler and partner during his career with the West Hartford Police Department.

West Hartford Police Department

The law enforcement agency that employed Onyx as a K9 officer.

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What’s next

The West Hartford Police Department has placed a cruiser in front of the station as a memorial to honor K9 Onyx.

The takeaway

The loss of K9 Onyx is a somber reminder of the risks and challenges police dogs face in their service to the community. Onyx's distinguished career, which included numerous arrests, narcotics seizures, and assistance in SWAT operations, underscores the vital role these highly trained animals play in law enforcement.