The UA Police Department lost a valuable member of its force this weekend, one responsible for helping to seize hundreds of pounds of narcotics from the streets of Tucson.

"Jos" (pronounced Yoce) was a Belgian Malinois who had been with UAPD since April 1991.

Jos was euthanized Sunday after a blood clot was found in a major vessel in his lung, said Dr. Michael Rand, Jos' veterinarian and chief of biotechnology support services for University Animal Care. He said the clot was a complication of valley fever.

In May 1995, Jos was involved in a raid where he inhaled toxins from a methamphetamine lab, Rand said. Soon afterwards, Jos developed chronic bronchitis, which may have made him more susceptible to valley fever.

Jos came to UAPD from the Dutch military, where he received most of his training, said UAPD Acting Lt. Brian Seastone.

Belgian Malinoises live 12 to 15 years at the most, Rand said. He said Jos was 8 years old at death, and police dogs are used for their services for 8 or 9 years.

Jos' handler was UAPD Police Chief Mike Thomas, and Jos worked with him during the day, Seastone said.

Most police dogs are at work at night, which made Jos popular with other local law enforcement agencies, Seastone said. He said the Tucson Police Department and the Tucson Airport Authority used Thomas and Jos for drug detection.

Jos lived with Thomas, accompanying him to work and becoming "part of the family" at night, Seastone said.

"Jos provided a unique aspect to law enforcement for us," Seastone said. "He could detect things that we couldn't. Plus, the presence of a dog helps to deter crime."

Although Thomas was unavailable for comment, he told Seastone about one of his favorite memories of his co-worker and friend.

Seastone related a story about Jos during a drug search of a semi truck full of tomatoes. Jos found the drugs, but smelled like tomatoes for a week, Seastone said.

"People always would come up and hug him," Seastone said. "He was very friendly, a real valuable and highly visible part of our community."

UAPD Detective Wade Boltinghouse said Jos was not only an important law enforcement tool, but also a pet.

"Jos had a very unique personality," Boltinghouse said. "The dog can be replaced, but the 'pet' cannot. I don't think they will find another quite like him."

No word was available on whether Jos will be replaced. UAPD has two other dogs in service.