The New London Police Department has issued a statement that it is mourning the death of one of its K-9 officers, who retired on July 1, 2008. Kiva, a German shepherd, was partners with retired Officer Chad Stringer.

Kiva, who was 12 when he died, was known for his tracking skills, locating persons suffering from Alzheimer’s, missing youths and criminal suspects.

Kiva rarely used his teeth to take down suspects, the department's obituary said. However, on one occasion he was able to subdue a man who wanted to commit “suicide by cop.”

Kiva was born on Nov. 4, 1999 in Czechoslovakia.

The members of the New London Police Department are thankful for the work Kiva did for the city’s citizens, the obituary said.The department extended its deepest sympathies to the Stringer family, who were able to enjoy and love Kiva as their family pet.