A photo showing a Houston police officer comforting his horse partner during the final moments of her life is going viral.
Charlotte, a Houston Police Department mounted patrol horse, died Thursday in the line of duty while patrolling the streets with her rider, Officer D. Herrejon, a local CBS News affiliate reported.
Police said the horse got spooked by a cement truck, bucked Officer Herrejon off her back and ran into the streets, where she was struck by a vehicle.
Officer Herrejon stayed with Charlotte during her last moments, CBS reported. A photograph of the encounter has been shared on Facebook nearly 1,000 times.
“This is an ongoing investigation, but the driver of the vehicle is not believed to be at-fault. Her rider, Officer D. Herrejon, was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but is doing well,” the department said on its Facebook page, receiving more than 8,500 shares.
“She loved her job and was always ready to go to work putting bad guys in jail or giving nuzzles to children. She served the citizens of Houston for 4 years. She will be missed,” the department said.
