K-9 officers salute Titus, a Little Rock police dog who died earlier this month, during a memorial service at Immanuel Baptist church on Monday, July 27, 2015. ( Sara Janak )

Arkansas law enforcement and community members gathered Monday to honor a Little Rock police dog who died earlier this month after chasing and subduing a burglary suspect.

Titus, who had been a member of the department for three years, died July 15 of heat-related illnesses after a lengthy foot chase.

After the chase, Titus exhibited signs of heat-related distress and was taken to Briarwood Animal Hospital where he failed to respond to treatment.

Titus, a 5-year-old German Shepherd, was Officer Jason Farmer’s partner since July 22, 2012.

“We’re here today because Titus was a partner, and those outside our circle do not understand that," Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner said.

Buckner, speaking Monday during a memorial service at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, paused for several minutes while he wiped away tears during his remarks.

Police dogs share a special bond with their partners, he said. They aren't pets, and officers paired with them aren't handlers — they're partners.

So far this year, 15 dogs working for police departments in the United States have died in the line of duty, Little Rock Police Department spokesman Lt. Steven McClanahan said.

Titus was brought to the U.S. from Slovakia in 2010 and certified in 2012 by the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, Buckner said.

Titus was first assigned to the violent crimes apprehension unit, and then to the downtown patrol division, where he worked until his death.

During his career with the Little Rock Police Department, Titus was deployed 122 times. He was involved in 52 narcotics sniffs, leading to 39 people being charged with narcotics offenses. Titus apprehended 19 suspects and seized 19 guns, according to the department.

“His primary role was to assist in the apprehension of wanted individuals,” Buckner said.

"We have K-9 officers from all over the county sending well wishes. We have people from all over the community sending well wishes for a dog — but to us, he's a partner."

Photo by Sara Janak

Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner speaks at Immanuel Baptist Church during a memorial service for Titus, a police dog who died earlier this month, on Monday, July 27, 2015.