Beloved Toms River police K-9 dies of natural causes

K-9 Thunder retired from the Toms River Police Department in December 2013.

K-9 Thunder. (Toms River Police Department)

TOMS RIVER -- A retired township police department K-9 died on Tuesday of natural causes.

In announcing the death of K-9 Thunder, the Toms River Township Police Department also offered its condolences to Thunder's handler, Sgt. James Reilly.

Reilly took to Facebook to express his sorrow following the death of Thunder.

"My partner, my friend the one who I told everything too. You will be missed, rest easy see you later buddy (SIC)," the post states.

Thunder came to the United States from Czechoslovakia in 2003 to train as a K-9 officer with the Toms River Police Department. He was trained in narcotics searches and patrol.

Thunder performed a number of different tasks during his tenure with the Toms River Police Department, from searching for suspects and missing persons to protecting police officers during large disturbances.

Some of the jobs Thunder performed, police said, led to large seizures of drugs and multiple arrests for drug distribution.

But above it all, Thunder loved to be the center of attention.   

"He was a crowd favorite because of his big size and big heart," Officer Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department, said in a statement. "Whether performing in front of elementary school children, senior citizens or at the Ocean County fair every summer, Thunder loved the spotlight."

Thunder retired in December 2013. During his retirement, Thunder was able to spend more time with Reilly and his family.

"K-9 Thunder will be missed by many," Stocco said. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.