CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville Police are mourning the death of K-9 Blue over the weekend, according to a CPD release.

Blue was found unresponsive Sunday evening in a CPD police car at his handler’s residence in Greene County. He was later pronounced deceased, and now the case is under investigation by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations Appomattox Field Office.

“Out of respect for the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the Department is not releasing additional details at this time,” CPD said in its release. “The Department will allow the investigation to proceed and will share additional information as it becomes available.”

CPD announced Officer Darius Nash and Blue completed their certification to work trailing calls in April 2024 via a social media post.

“The K-9 team is now available to serve the needs of our community and respond to regional requests for K-9 service,” the post said.

“K-9 partners are more than working animals; they are members of our department family,” CPD said in its Monday release. “They are trained and trusted to serve alongside their handlers in keeping our community safe. The loss of a K-9 partner is felt deeply throughout the entire agency.”

CPD urged the community to keep Blue’s handler and his family in thoughts during this difficult time.