​Muskogee, OK – Muskogee Police Department (MPD) K9 Indie died in the line of duty on Feb. 4, after he suffered a gastrointestinal issue, the department said.

His partner and handler, MPD Lieutenant William Peters, physically carried the fallen hero the last several blocks to a veterinary clinic, after the vehicle he was being transported in experienced a mechanical failure, KOTV reported.

K9 Indie, an Army combat veteran, had been with the MPD for four years.

When he reported to work with Lt. Peters on Feb. 3, the handler noticed that Indie was struggling to breathe, and had difficulty standing.

“He was laying down, which is not normal, and he was making a strange noise,” Lt. Peters told KOTV. “I brought him back to the station and he was having a hard time breathing and a hard time walking.”

As the lieutenant and another K9 handler rushed the K9 officer to an emergency veterinarian, their vehicle broke down, and Lt. Peters carried his partner for the remainder of the journey.

The veterinarian determined that K9 Indie had suffered a twisted stomach/intestine, but did not believe surgery would be successful, due to the officer’s advanced age.

K9 Indie passed away just after midnight on Feb. 4.

“Today we mourn the loss of one of our own,” the MPD said in a Facebook post. “K9 Indie was lost unexpectedly last night while at work due to health reasons. Our thoughts and prayers are with our brother Lt. Peters today. We thank Indie for the service he provided to our Police Department and our community.”

Prior to his service with the MPD, K9 Indie served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Tracker, and was deployed to Iraq, KOTV reported.

According to KOKI, he assisted the MPD with apprehensions, arrests, drug seizures, and served on the Special Operations team.

In his off time, K9 Indie resided with Lt. Peters and his daughter, and was a member of their family.

K9 Indie was laid to rest on Feb. 6, KOTV reported.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the MPD and Lt. Peters in the loss of K9 Indie.