'RIP, K-9 Ari': Last Salute For Very Special Monmouth County Officer

FREEHOLD, NJ — The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office has announced the passing of K-9 Ari, the "beloved partner of retired Sheriff’s Officer Jay Aretino," the office said.

The 14-year-old German Shepherd, who specialized in narcotics detection and patrols, retired in 2021 after a long and successful 10-year career assisting in combatting crime, Sheriff Shaun Golden said.

And Ari was a familiar face throughout Monmouth County as he and Aretino conducted K-9 demos at schools, community events and large gatherings throughout the year, the office recalled.

On Monday, Jan. 9, K-9s and their handlers from numerous law enforcement agencies lined up outside of Garden State Veterinary Specialists Animal Hospital in Tinton Falls, where Ari, "the hardworking police dog and most loyal companion, was provided with the proper send-off."

"RIP, K-9 Ari," the office wrote in its Facebook post, which also includes more photos of him.

"The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office is extremely saddened over the passing of K-9 Ari who was an exceptional and loyal member of our K-9 unit,” said Golden. "Ari was a valuable asset in promoting law enforcement, maintaining public safety and combating the proliferation of drugs in Monmouth County. We are grateful to Ari for his service. He will be missed.”

K-9 Ari and Aretino, of Long Branch, worked together for more than 10 years before both retired, the office said.

Throughout the course of their work, the team seized large sums of cash which resulted from numerous drug investigations. They also located a significant amount of narcotics including heroin, cocaine and marijuana, the Sheriff's Office said.

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office presently has eight sheriff’s officers and 10 K9s, which include three tracking teams, three narcotics teams, two explosive detection teams and two explosive/patrol teams, the office said. The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office thanks all for their continued support of the agency’s K9 Unit, the sheriff said.