Pasco police are in mourning. Popular K9 has died

One of Pasco’s best known law enforcement officers, K9 Lemon, has died just weeks after retiring.

The Pasco Police Department announced Monday morning that the 10-year-old police dog had died.

He had been a K9 officer for about eight years.

Lemon has had health issues since September when he needed emergency surgery for a medical condition called a stomach flip, causing his intestines to twist into a deadly knot.

In September, Pasco Officer Josh Madsen saw that Lemon was in distress and rushed him to a veterinarian.

He had complications from surgery in September and required another operation on Oct. 27.

On Nov 13. the Pasco Police Department announced his retirement, with of wish of “Happy tails, buddy.”

“K9 Lemon is as much your dog as he is mine,” said Madsen then, and pledged that Lemon would not want for treats or belly rubs in his retirement.

Lemon had long been a popular figure on the Pasco Police Department’s Facebook page.

The police department sent out condolences to Madsen and his family Monday morning via social media.

“We also wish to thank our amazing community for the outpouring of love and support during the last few weeks for Lemon and his family,” the department said.

Pasco has three other police dogs: Hapo, Jucon and Ezra.