Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 suffers stroke, dies

A Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 was remembered Monday after he suffered a stroke and died while on duty, the sheriff's department said. A Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 was remembered Monday after he suffered a stroke and died while on duty, the sheriff's department said. Photo: Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Photo: Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Image 1 of / 34 Caption Close Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 suffers stroke, dies 1 / 34 Back to Gallery

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) —A Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 was remembered Monday after he suffered a stroke and died while on duty, the sheriff's department said.

K-9 officer Nikk, 8, was having trouble standing Monday morning and his partner, Deputy Ramie Folena, noticed he had become lethargic.

Nikk was rushed to the VCA Animal Hospital, where veterinarians determined he suffered a possible stroke, officers said.

Nikk died at 7:50 a.m. alongside Folena and was escorted out of the hospital with an American flag draped over his body as his K-9 and human partners lined the walkway.

Nikk was trained and placed in service in December 2011 and was responsible for numerous felony apprehensions and participated in many demonstrations for children in the community, deputies 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.

Folena is an 18-year veteran with the department who has been assigned to the K-9 unit since 2012.

Information on Nikk's memorial service will be released soon.