Weber County Sheriff’s Office mourns passing of police service dog Nova
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- Nova, a German shepherd with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Unit, died over the weekend.
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- Nova, a German shepherd with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Unit, died over the weekend.
OGDEN — The Weber County Sheriff’s Office announced over the weekend the death of a police service dog in its K-9 unit.
“It is with deep sorrow that the Weber County Sheriff’s Office announces the untimely passing of Police Service Dog ‘Nova.’ Nova passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025 due to an unexpected medical condition. She was just shy of 2 years old,” a release posted via social media read.
Nova, a black German shepherd, had joined the sheriff’s office in November 2024, according to the release, immediately beginning training in narcotics detection alongside her handler. Lt. Sean Endsley of the Weber County Sheriff’s Office told the Standard-Examiner that Nova would have received her certification in narcotics detection this week.
Meanwhile, Chief Deputy Josh Gard said Nova’s handler and the whole of the sheriff’s office is mourning her sudden death.
“We’re in mourning bands for the loss of one of our K-9s and mourning them as we would a human being or a deputy of this office, because they are a part of this office,” Gard said. “They’re very much loved by the staff of this office. You can’t go anywhere with Midas, our bomb dog, and not have people (gather around him).”
Endsley added that a memorial service would be held in the coming days.
The sheriff’s office currently has five dogs in service with its K-9 unit, according to Endsley, performing in roles ranging from narcotics and bomb detection to apprehension. After going through a bonding period with their handlers, dogs are trained for multiple months before they’re certified and placed into service. Some are certified as dual-purpose dogs.
Common breeds for police service dogs include German shepherds, Malinois and shepherd mixes. However, other breeds are used by law enforcement agencies as well.
The length of time a given dog will remain in service is dependent on a number of factors, including the size and health of the animal, its role within the unit, and the physical activity and stress related to that role. According to Gard, some dogs may remain in service for as long as 10-12 years. Upon retirement, they typically remain with their handlers.
While the number of active dogs has varied over the years, the K-9 program has been a mainstay of the sheriff’s office for decades. The program is partially funded through donations.
“We do rely on a lot of fundraising for not only the dogs but for certain training and equipment,” Endsley said. “It’s vital to the survival of the program.”
Gard — himself a former handler — described being involved with the K-9 unit as “the most unique experience” of his career in law enforcement.
“I’ve had dogs since I was a baby to even now. I have three dogs at home that are personal dogs, but the difference to me is that it’s a partner that you go to work with every day,” he said. “I spent more time with the dog than I did my family at times just because we’re 12 hours a day in a truck. It’s just that bond. I mean, the more time you spend with a dog, the closer that you get, the more obedient they get, the more they aim to please you and the more willingness they have to please you.
“It’s an experience that I wish everybody who wanted the experience had the opportunity to go through.”
Donations for the department’s K-9 unit are accepted by the Weber County Sheriff’s Foundation, which holds a fund that can be used for dogs, equipment and training. Those interested in supporting the K-9 program can make donations via Venmo @WeberCountySheriffs-Foundation. To ensure money goes to the correct fund, please label any donations to the K-9 fund with a note of “K-9” or something similar.
