Police K-9 Unit member Onyx dies 
TheFargo Police Department regrets to  announce that K-9 Onyx was put to rest yesterday after he  was diagnosed with cancer in several internal organs.  It was obvious that Onyx would not be able to lead any type  of quality life so he was humanely euthanized.  He had been receiving treatment for what was thought to be a  pancreatic problem prior to the cancer diagnosis.  Onyx graduated from the St. Paul Police Canine Academy  and started serving the people of Fargo in June 2001.  He performed more than 350 narcotics searches for the FPD  narcotics unit, patrol and school resource officers, the Moorhead Police Department, West Fargo Police Department, Cass County Sheriff's Office, Richland County Sheriff's Office, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and  North Dakota Parole and Probation.  He had contact with more than 20,000 people while appearing at more than 250 public demonstrations.  The police canines are a favorite of the DARE graduating classes and he was the "guest speaker" at about 80 graduations.  He had a special connection with the children at Longfellow Elementary School. Onyx was Patrol Dog 1 and Narcotic Detector Dog certified through the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). According to Sgt. Mark Lykken, his handler and partner,  Onyx loved going to work. One highlight of Onyx's career was to assist another agency by tracking and apprehending a juvenile who had allegedly attempted to stab his mother with a sword. Sgt. Lykken also credits Onyx for assisting him when he was attacked by an intoxicated person with a one-liter glass bottle of liquor.  Onyx exited the patrol vehicle through the automatic bail out system and apprehended (bit) the suspect, allowing Sgt. Lykken to handcuff and arrest him.
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A police drug dog here has been euthanized after being diagnosed with cancer in several internal organs. Onyx became a member of the Fargo police force in June 2001 and performed more than 350 narcotics searches for local and state law enforcement agencies during his career, Sgt. Jeff Skuza said. The dog also appeared at more than 250 public demonstrations. Sgt. Mark Lykken, Onyx's handler, said one highlight of the dog's career was tracking and apprehending a juvenile who had allegedly attempted to stab his mother with a sword. Lykken also credited Onyx with helping him when he was attacked by an intoxicated person with a glass bottle. Onyx was euthanized Thursday after the cancer diagnosis. The dog had been receiving treatment for what was thought to be a problem with his pancreas. And there's more:March 23: The Fargo Police Department regrets to announce that K-9 Onyx was put to rest yesterday after he was diagnosed with cancer in several internal organs.  It was obvious that Onyx would not be able to lead any type of quality life so he was humanely euthanized.  He had been receiving treatment for what was thought to be a pancreatic problem prior to the cancer diagnosis. Onyx graduated from the St. Paul Police Canine Academy and started serving the people of Fargo in June 2001.  He performed more than 350 narcotics searches for the FPD narcotics unit, patrol and school resource officers, the Moorhead Police Department, West Fargo Police Department, Cass County Sheriff's Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and North Dakota Parole and Probation. He had contact with more than 20,000 people while appearing at more than 250 public demonstrations.  The police canines are a favorite of the DARE graduating classes and he was the "guest speaker" at about 80 graduations.  He had a special connection with the children at Longfellow Elementary School. Onyx was Patrol Dog 1 and Narcotic Detector Dog certified through the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). According to Sgt. Mark Lykken, his handler and partner, Onyx loved going to work. One highlight of Onyx's career was to assist another agency by tracking and apprehending a juvenile who had allegedly attempted to stab his mother with a sword. Sgt. Lykken also credits Onyx for assisting him when he was attacked by an intoxicated person with a one-liter glass bottle of liquor.  Onyx exited the patrol vehicle through the automatic bail out system and apprehended (bit) the suspect, allowing Sgt. Lykken to handcuff and arrest him. 
  submitted by Jim Cortina & Sgt. Lykken