K9 partner of slain Bardstown officer dies

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (AP) – A retired police dog has died just two days before the four-year anniversary of his partner’s death in the line of duty.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports (http://bit.ly/2qbwn4H ) that Figo died Tuesday after a lengthy illness. The drug-sniffing German shepherd was a K-9 officer with the Bardstown police and the partner of 33-year-old Officer Jason Ellis, who was shot multiple times on May 25, 2013.

Figo drew media attention when he was photographed placing a paw next to Ellis’ casket at the funeral. After Ellis’ killing, Figo retired to live with the officer’s wife and two sons.

Posts on the Facebook page Friends of Figo say the dog died peacefully in his sleep and will be buried alongside Ellis.

Ellis’ killing remains unsolved.

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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.