Hero NYPD K-9 dog named Caesar who had served in Afghanistan is euthanized after battle with cancer Caesar was treated to a hero's salute by NYPD K-9 handlers and their dogs before being put down Thursday Caesar joined NYPD's Transit K-9 Unit in 2014 to help keep subway system safe Prior to that, Caesar had served three tours of duty in Afghanistan with the US Army One time, the dog saved a NAVY SEALs squad by sniffing out explosive devices Caesar's handler, officer Juan Rodriguez, is also an Army veteran who had completed two tours of duty abroad By Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com Published: 21:54 GMT, 15 February 2019 | Updated: 21:55 GMT, 15 February 2019 Viewcomments End of watch: NYPD K-9 dog Caesar was humanely put down on Thursday after a battle with cancer A terminally ill NYPD K-9 dog named Caesar on Thursday was treated to a hero's salute before being put down following a bout with cancer. The German shepherd, who was about nine years old, breathed his last at the Animal Medical Center on East 62nd Street in Manhattan, with his long-time handler, officer Juan Rodriguez, by his side. Before going to his death, Rodriguez and Caesar were honored by fellow NYPD K-9 handlers and their four-legged charges, who lined up on the sidewalk outside the veterinary facility to pay their respects. Caesar was also given a chance to take one final look at the East River from the FDR Drive before the end, the New York Daily News reported. According to a Facebook post from the NYPD, Caesar joined the law enforcement agency Transit unit as a battle-tested four-year-old. During his five years of service with the NYPD, Caesar was tasked with keeping New York City's sprawling subway system safe. Pair of vets: Like his handler, officer Juan Rodriguez, Caesar was a veteran of a US Army who had completed three tours of duty in Afghanistan Subway pooch: During his five years of service with the NYPD's Transit K-9 unit, Caesar was tasked with keeping New York City's subway system safe Prior to that, Caesar had served three tours of duty in Afghanistan with the US Army. During one deployment, the dog saved a NAVY SEALs squad by sniffing out explosive devices, reported ABC News in 2014. Caesar's handler, Rodriguez, is also an Army veteran who had completed two tours of duty, in Cuba and Saudi Arabia, before joining the NYPD in 1999. 'It is an honor to work with him,' Rodriguez said of his K-9 dog five years ago. 'It sounds funny to say that I'm honored to work with a dog but I know I can trust him and I feel comfortable knowing that if I go out there, he'll find anything and help save lives.' Caesar was the first military dog to join the NYPD since the Transit K-9 unit was formed in 2006. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility