Remembering Wolf, Matawan's First K9

Retired Matawan Borough K9 Unit, Wolf, 14, died last week.

The shared the news of his passing on their Facebook page on March 21 writing, "R.I.P. retired Matawan Police Department K9 Wolf. You served us all well. Condolences to Sgt. Walker, whom continued to care for Wolf long after his retirement."

Sgt. Patrick Walker and Wolf became partners in 2000 when Wolf was just under 3-years-old. They attended the John "Sonny" Burke K9 Academy in Atlantic City for Patrol School and then attended scent detection school for narcotics at the New Jersey State Police division headquarters.

Over the next nine years, Wolf's patrol work consisted of building searches, tracking, handler and patrol protection and sniffing out narcotics in vehicles. According to Walker, although Wolf was based in Matawan, he also assisted Aberdeen, Marlboro, Old Bridge, Keyport, Keansburg, Union Beach, Hazlet, and Highlands police departments, as well as the Bayshore Narcotic Task force.

"Wolf was involved in hundreds of narcotics searches," Walker said. "Narcotics were frequently located and led to the arrest and often conviction of numerous subjects."

Walker also credits Wolf with saving his life and the life of Officer Brian Murphy and a Marlboro police officer.

"His finest job was when he located the suspect that had robbed 79 Liquors of Matawan at gunpoint and he located him hiding the closet of a residence in Marlboro. The suspect was still armed and was apprehended," Walker said. "To this day, I, and my back up officers, believe that he was responsible for saving our lives."

Walker and Wolf did several talks and demonstrations throughout the years for senior citizens, school children and animal groups, Walker said. Wolf also enjoyed competing the the United States Police Canine Association patrol dog trials and scent detection, Walker said.

"Wolf not only loved to work and serve the community, but he also loved to compete and make me proud," Walker said.

In 2009, Wolf retired. Although no longer an active duty K9, Wolf continued to live with his lifelong friend and partner. Walker remembers that Wolf was always serious and focused on the job, however during retirement he became mild mannered and very social.

"I could discuss K9 Wolf for hours and hours," Walker said. "He was more than an outstanding police K9, more than the best partner I ever had, more than a great pet in retirement. He was and will always be my best friend. The bond that is formed between a police K9 and its handler can not be described in words."