Folsom Police mourn loss of K9 officer that died on duty

The Folsom Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its four legged officers this week after the unexpected passing of K9 Reno.

During a scheduled department training session on Thursday, Reno was on duty inside an air-conditioned patrol unit. During a break in the training, officers returned to the car to check on the running patrol car as they routinely do during such day-to-day activities.

Upon opening the door to the patrol unit, officers discovered K9 Reno unresponsive. Reno was rushed to an emergency veterinarian hospital where he was later pronounced deceased

“The K9 patrol vehicle was running, with the air conditioning on, and water in Reno’s bowl,” said a statement from the Folsom Police Department. “At this time the cause of death is unknown and pending necropsy.”  A necropsy is an autopsy performed on an animal.

According to Folsom Police, K9 Reno was a four-year-old Belgian Malinois that has served the City of Folsom since December of 2020. During that time, K9 Reno has worked alongside two handlers, Corporal Hedgepeth and Officer Cummins, as he made sure they went home safe to their families every shift.

A procession took place in the city Thursday afternoon with multiple agencies joining the Folsom Police Department.

“We would like to thank Elk Grove PD K9, Amador County K9, Sac Sheriff K9, CHP K9 and Riverside County K9 with their assistance in honoring K9 Reno with a procession on Thursday afternoon,” said the Folsom Police Department.

Reno is the second K9 loss in recent days for the Folsom Police Department. Earlier in the week the department learned that retired department K9 Aksel passed away. Aksel served the department from 2015 until 2021. He passed away at the home of his handler, he was 9 years old.