Sonoma County sheriff’s K-9, Axel, remembered as gentle, hardworking

Axel, a longtime Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office K-9, was euthanized Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office reported, following a nearly nine-year career with the department.

The 13-year-old Belgian Malinois worked with two Sonoma County deputies and was trained in protection, as well as suspect apprehension and finding drugs. At least one case required him to fly on the sheriff’s helicopter long line.

Axel was a partner for five years with then-Deputy Adrian Mancilla. The dog was credited with apprehending 10 suspected criminals and getting more than 60 people to surrender, as well as finding 90 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop in the Russian River area, according to department reports.

Sgt. Mancilla Wednesday called Axel the ultimate loyal partner.

“I always felt that he had an old soul inside of him,” Mancilla wrote in an email. “Most people could not believe that he was a Sheriff’s patrol dog. He was sweet and lovable, but yet at a moment’s notice could flip a switch and go into protection mode.”

When Mancilla became a detective, Axel worked with Deputy Jerry Turney, helping Turney patrol Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast for four years. The dog retired in April and spent his final four months with the Mancilla family.