Special memorial held for beloved San Bernardino County K-9 Jojo

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A special memorial was held for a beloved K-9 member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department who died in the line of duty.

K-9 units and their handlers gathered on Tuesday to remember Jojo. The 4-year-old sable German Shepherd died in January after choking on an object while searching a warehouse.

"I did everything in my power to save him and in the process had my right pinky finger amputated ... I am devastated that I failed," Jojo's handler, Detective Brad Phillips, posted on Facebook.

Jojo was the only dog assigned to the bomb-arson detail with tracking and explosive detection skills. In fact, he searched the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino following the deadly terror shooting.

Jojo also performed security sweeps when high profile political figures came to town, including President Barack Obama.