The first member of Sansom Park’s K9 unit, Lt. Dan, has died

The first member of Sansom Park’s K9 unit has died, the police department announced on social media Tuesday.

“Lt. Dan crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in the arms of his beloved partner,” a Facebook post said. “Good boy, Lt. Dan, good boy. We will miss you now, but we will love you forever.”

Lt. Dan was diagnosed with cancer in early March. He died Monday, just five days after successfully sniffing out nearly $8,000 of heroin and methamphetamine. Three suspected drug dealers were arrested as a result, the Sansom Park Police Department said.

The dog’s handler, Officer Nathan Hagin, told Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV that Dan probably died from a blood clot that went to his heart.

““I’m not a crier, but this broke my heart,” Hagin said. “I spent more time with him than with my actual family. It’s not just a dog, it means so much more.”

Hagin and Lt. Dan were partners for 11 years, according to the social media post. Hagin told WFAA that the two had an “instant bond.”

Lt. Dan also worked at the sheriff’s office in Hood and Parker counties during his career in law enforcement. He came out of retirement In January to start the K9 unit in Sansom Park, according to WFAA.

Hagin told WFAA that he took Lt. Dan for one last walk at his favorite park on Sunday. The beloved canine died the next day, minutes after posing for one last photo with Hagin in uniform.

“It was a silent ride up here tonight,” Hagin said. “Not hearing his tail bouncing around and him panting, thinking we’re going to work. I found myself talking to him in the back kennel and had to look back and realize he was not there.”