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Police detective killed by friendly fire in New York City

<p>KINGSTON &#8212; The Kingston Police Department is in mourning after beloved K-9 Onyx died Saturday.</p><p>The 10-year-old German Shepherd was a member of the borough force for more than eight years and served as a narcotics/patrol dog, said his handler, Chief Michael Krzywicki. </p><p>This was posted on the department&#8217;s Facebook page to announced the dog&#8217;s &#8220;end of watch&#8221;:</p><p>&#8220;Rest in peace Onyx, you will always be remembered for your unmatched play, drive and your love for your family both at home and work.&#8221;</p><p>An emotional Krzywicki on Wednesday said Onyx suffered from a degenerative spine disease and had been having difficulty walking for the past three to four weeks. He said Onyx stopped eating last week and had bouts of heavy panting.</p><p>Krzywicki said Onyx was assigned to him and they worked together for several years until Krzywicki became chief of the department in 2013. Onyx stayed with Krzywicki after his active duty.</p><p>Krzywicki said the dog was purchased from a kennel in New York and he was trained by former Plymouth Borough Police Chief Miles Collins. Onyx was trained for patrol work, obedience, tracking and narcotics detection.</p><p>&#8220;Chief Collins trained Onyx with real narcotics,&#8221; said Krzywicki, who developed a real bond with the animal.</p><p>&#8220;He was with me 24 hours a day.&#8221;</p><p>He said Onyx still worked with him at football games and recently visited with students at Wyoming Valley West&#8217;s Chester Street Elementary.</p><p>&#8220;We read a story to the students,&#8221; Krzywicki recalled. &#8220;After the presentation, the students were allowed to pet him. Onyx loved kids.&#8221;</p><p>The dog was aggressive during his job performance, but still gentle and affectionate at home.</p><p>Krzywicki said at some point he will seek another K-9 for his force. He said Onyx was purchased through the Luzerne County Drug Forfeiture Program.</p><p>&#8221;We&#8217;ve had four K-9 dogs over the years,&#8221; the chief said. &#8220;They are all gone now.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL051617Chief-Krzywicki-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Krzywicki </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL051617Chief-Krzywicki-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Krzywicki </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_ONYX-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Onyx </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_ONYX-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Onyx </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL093016robbery3-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kingston Police Chief Michael Krzywicki and K-9 Onyx are shown during a call in 2016. Onyx, a German Shepherd who was a veteran of the borough&#8217;s force, died Saturday at age 10. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL093016robbery3-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Kingston Police Chief Michael Krzywicki and K-9 Onyx are shown during a call in 2016. Onyx, a German Shepherd who was a veteran of the borough&#8217;s force, died Saturday at age 10. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Kingston police K-9 dies