Illinois State Police K9 dies from medical complications
PAWNEE, Ill. - The Illinois State Police (ISP) is mourning the loss of K9 Hank, who passed away on Monday at the age of 11 due to medical complications from a brief terminal illness.
Hank served alongside his handler, Trooper Zach McNelly.
ISP described Hank as not only a valuable partner to McNelly but also a beloved member of the Illinois State Police family.
"Together, they worked tirelessly as a team in Troop 8 to protect and serve the citizens of Illinois, forging a bond of trust and teamwork that will be remembered by all who knew them," ISP said in a post on Facebook.
Hank graduated with Canine Class 71 in 2015 and remained an active member of the ISP canine unit until he died.
Recently, Hank served as a role model, helping to train new dogs and handlers at the ISP Canine Training Facility in Pawnee, Ill.