The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of “Scout,” a K-9 that served the department for five years.

Scout died on Monday, surrounded by loved ones and members of the Sheriff’s Office.

“A true hero, he retired to a joyful life with the Negri family for five years,” said the Sheriff’s Office in its Facebook post Thursday.

Scout served alongside Sgt. Daniel Negri from 2015 to 2020, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The department described Scout as “brave” and praised his work in apprehending suspects and seizing narcotics.

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Scout” in an undated photo. Scout served Sonoma County, Calif., alongside Sgt. Daniel Negri, aiding the SWAT team with countless apprehensions and narcotics seizures. Upon retirement, Scout lived with the Negri family for five years. Scout passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025 surrounded by loved ones and Sheriff’s Office members. (Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office via Bay City News)

Scout took part in multiple suspect arrests during his tenure. In 2017, Scout aided in the arrest of two fugitives by using a scent from a sweatshirt to suss out where one of them was hiding under insulation in an attic.

“Thank you, Scout, for your service,” said the Sheriff’s Office. “Run wild and free.”

Many community members shared their condolences on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook post Thursday, both for Scout and for his handler Negri.

“Negri family and sheriff dept, sorry for your loss,” wrote user Lorraine Cheli. “K-9s and their handlers do such important work. Thank you.”

User Sheafer McOmber kept it simple. “Good boy, Scout,” he wrote.

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.