A PAPD canine has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
Phoenix, who served the Port Authority Police Department since 2007, died Tuesday.
The German Shepherd was partnered with Police Officer Donald Golding in 2007 when he was assigned to the Special Operations Division.
The duo worked together in the Explosives Detection Unit for nearly seven years.
That unit was created in 2005, the year Phoenix was born, to oversee all Port Authority Emergency Services.
“This dog never wavered in his dedication to protecting the public,” PA spokesman Joe Pentangelo said.
“He served this department with distinction for over seven years,” he added.
Phoenix and Golding searched thousands of unattended bags, packages and parcels as part of the Port Authority Police Department’s mission to safeguard its airports, seaports, terminals and the PATH system for the traveling public, according to a statement released by the department.
The pup had lived with Golding in his Suffolk County home since 2007.