Estherville, IA (KICD) — The Estherville Police Department is reporting that one of their service dogs passed away after serving only 18 months with the department.

Estherville Police say Max 3 passed away unexpectedly on April 9th of 2021 from Gastric Dilatation Volvulus. Max came from Partners for Patriots from Anthon, Iowa, and was trained by his handler Sergeant Matt Reineke and was certified by Cindy Brodie from Partners for Patriots.

During Max’s career, he accomplished 17 drug and paraphernalia seizures with two of his largest being one ounce of meth and two ounces of marijuana. Max was also called when a felon with a firearm took off on foot with Max later successfully tracking him down.

The Estherville Police Department thanks the Estherville Vet Clinic for its services on the early morning hours of the 9th as they attempted to save Max.