Loyal and brave K-9 Officer Hunter served a decade with his human partner Michael D'Aresta at the Middletown Police Department in Connecticut. 

 Hunter's time on the force came to a sudden stop when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. 

"K9 Hunter has been ill for that past several days and when tests were conducted they revealed that K9 Hunter has a very aggressive form of Liver cancer. They unfortunately recommended that he be euthanized," the Middletown Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

The diagnosis was heartbreaking for everyone on the force, particularly Hunter's partner Michael  D'Aresta, who had formed such a special bond with his canine friend and was faced with the heartbreaking decision to put Hunter to sleep.

D'Aresta carried the dog in his arms as he received one last salute from his fellow officers. D'Aresta and the rest of the police department wanted the pup to know just how much they love and care for him on his last day on earth.