EAST MOLINE, Illinois - Illinois State Police District 7 post in East Moline said goodbye to one of its retired K-9 officers on Friday.
“It was a sad day today,” the ISP office posted on Facebook, explaining that the16 year old dog, Cain would be euthanized because of failing health.
The Facebook post shows the photo of Cain getting a hero’s welcome by local, county and state officers as he arrived Friday at a veterinarian’s office.
Cain served from June 2007 to November 2013 next to his handler, Trooper Dan Erickson.
Cain was responsible for detecting over 40 kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of pounds of marijuana, plus heroin, meth, and cocaine, according to the Facebook post, which describes Cain as a member of the force.
“It is always hard when you lose your best friend. It is something different when you lose a partner that was there to protect and serve next to you.”