Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 Nikk dies unexpectedly while on duty

A Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 died unexpectedly Monday morning while on duty with his handler.

Nikk, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, was rushed to VCA Animal Hospital after his handler, Deputy Ramie Folena, noticed that he had become lethargic and was having trouble standing, according to a Sheriff's Office news release. The on-duty emergency veterinarian performed diagnostic tests and determined that the dog had suffered a possible stroke. Nikk died at 7:50 a.m.

Nikk was trained and placed in service on Dec. 9, 2011. He served with his partner, Folena, an 18-year-veteran of the department who has been assigned to the K-9 unit since 2012.

Nikk was responsible for numerous felony apprehensions and participated in demonstrations for children in the community, the news release said.

"Our canine partners are very much a part of our family, and Nikk's untimely passing during his shift today is a profound loss that is felt not only in the Sheriff's Department but the entire community," Sheriff Scott Jones said in a written statement.

This story was originally published March 19, 2018 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 Nikk dies unexpectedly while on duty."