UPDATED Monday, October 12, 2009 --- 4:15 p.m.

Statement from
Sgt Matt Alsaker
Dane County Sheriff's Office

Unfortunately, Thor's condition turned drastically worse on Friday. The medication no longer kept him comfortable, he lost most of his mobility, and he started experiencing additional health complications from the cancer. We spent much of Friday consulting with our veterinarian, friends, and families. The difficult decision to put Thor to rest was made late Friday night.

Sgt Matt Alsaker
Dane County Sheriff's Office

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POSTED: Thursday, October 8 at 4:20 p.m.

"You're a good boy. Are you a good boy? Yeah you are," said Sheriff's Deputy Jay O'Neil as he pet his partner Thor on the head.

It's never easy to say goodbye to your partner.

"He's an awesome dog. It's so tough. It just crushes me."

But Deputy O'Neil is doing his best to cope.

For the past three years, Thor, a four-year-old German Shepherd, has served as a dual-purpose patrol and narcotics dog for the Dane County Sheriff's Department. In that short time, he has been involved in some of the county's highest profile cases, including an armed bank robbery in Mount Horeb, where he discovered the suspect's hat and shirt.

"It is a really solid piece of evidence for us to have, clothing that he used in that commission bank robbery that Thor found," O'Neil added.

Just a few weeks ago, Thor was on the scene of the home intruder who was shot dead in Fitchburg. But that would prove to be his final investigation.

It all started with a slight limp. What veterinarians first thought was a banal cyst in his shoulder, turned out to be much worse.

"The surgeon told me at that time it was cancerous and it has spread to his lungs and there was nothing we could do," stated a remorseful O'Neil. "The cancer has been so aggressive that I really suspect it won't be long now. We are talking days into weeks."

When Thor passes away he will be buried at the Westport Pet Cemetery. He will be along side other police K-9s that served our community with valor.

"That's where my original partner Dino went. It's just a nice place very fitting for the dogs to go," explained O'Neil. "To me it's kind of a fitting tribute to him. I couldn't have had a better partner for the last three years."

The Dane County Sheriff's Department is already raising money to replace Thor. They estimate it will cost between $8,000 and $15,000.

If you are interested in donating go to Newslinks on this webchannel.