Michigan State Police Marshall Post mourning the loss of beloved K-9 ‘Solo’

The Michigan State Police Marshall Post is mourning the loss of one of its own.

The department’s K-9, Solo, died Wednesday after suffering a medical emergency, the department announced Friday. He was six years old.

Trooper Jereme Miller, Solo’s partner for the past five years, said the dog was taken in for emergency surgery Wednesday to repair a twisted stomach, a life-threatening medical condition the German Shepard breed is susceptible too. During surgery, the decision was made to euthanize Solo as the surgery would not have been successful.

“This is a huge blow to the Marshall Post family, and as you can all imagine, a bigger impact on Trooper Miller and his family,” F/Lt. Barry Schrader, post commander of the Marshall Post, said in a statement. “In speaking with Trooper Miller, Solo finished his career like a trooper would. He assisted our Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) with a hit on 4 kilos of methamphetamine during a search warrant hours before his medical emergency.”

Miller said this week marked the five-year anniversary since he and Solo graduated from canine school. In that time, they had 68 successful apprehensions in which they tracked down fleeing suspects or missing persons.

Miller strongly believes they were on pace to reach 100 apprehensions during Solo’s career. Additionally, Solo hit on and helped seize more than 40 pounds of narcotics during his service.

Solo was Miller’s second canine over his 11-year career as a handler with MSP.

“We want to take this time to thank Solo for his dedication and service to the MSP and citizens of the State of Michigan,” MSP officials said. “We also ask that you keep Trooper Miller, his family and the entire Marshall Post personnel in your thoughts as they mourn the loss of their family member and partner.”

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com