Waco police are mourning the loss of one of their own.
Sgt. Patrick Swanton announced the passing of retired K9 Viper Tuesday.
Viper's health began deteriorating in February. It was believed he has a cervical spine lesion.
Veterinarians had determined that Viper's pain had progressed to where his quality of life had been compromised.
Viper, who was a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, lived with his partner and friend Officer Ray Woodruff.
Viper has been with the Waco Police Department for more than 5 years. During his time there, he was utilized over 2,400 times, conducted 344 narcotics searches and located one or more of his trained odors 112 times.
He has searched over 90 buildings looking for possible suspects, assisted on 273 warrant searches and 326 felony arrests.
Viper has been called to assist federal, state, county and other municipal law enforcement personnel.
Cross River Pet Cremation in McGregor donated the cremation services for Viper.
Sgt. Swanton said that Viper was one of Waco police's "most handsome officers."
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