Support Pours In As Eastpointe Police Announce Loss of Beloved K-9

EASTPOINTE (CBS Detroit) There's sad news out of Eastpointe, where police announced Wednesday the loss of a beloved officer.

K-9 Tico died due to natural causes, they announced.

Tico had been enjoying a life of retirement since December when he shucked off his badge and bullet proof vest to become his officer family's full-time protector and companion.

Support from the public ran high.

"Condolences Sgt Diegel , as you have truly lost a best friend and a family member , believe me I know your pain , seems only to get harder, the older you get when losing your best friend. But Tico would want you to get a new best friend , as you won't forget him," Lloyd Kimmen wrote on the police Facebook page.