A beloved Missouri K-9 officer died after reportedly being left in a hot car overnight following the end of his shift in Savannah. 

The Savannah Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that K-9 Horus died on Thursday after completing his overnight shift.

“On Thursday, June 20, the Savannah Police Department and the entire community suffered a tremendous loss,” Police Chief David Vincent said in a statement. 

K-9 Horus had served as a member of the Savannah Police Department for over three years, according to FOX 4.

HERO SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE K-9 DIES SAVING HUMAN TEAMMATES IN SHOOTOUT WITH FUGITIVE SUSPECT, AUTHORITIES SAY

“Horus’s death is currently being investigated,” Savannah Chief of Police David Vincent said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Due to this being an open investigation, there will be no further information released until the investigation is completed. The entire department would appreciate your thoughts and prayers, as we deal with the loss of our partner, Horus.”

Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney Monica J. Morrey told Fox News Digital that their office is currently investigating this case.

“The Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is deeply saddened to learn of K-9 Horus’ passing. We are grateful to him for his service to our community. I have requested a special investigation through the Missouri State Highway Patrol. I will await the results of this investigation prior to making any determination of necessary action,” Morrey said. 

The name of the law enforcement officer responsible for K-9 Horus’ death has not been released as it is an ongoing investigation.

YOUNGKIN MOURNS K-9 DOG STABBED TO DEATH BY ‘BARBARIC’ MS-13 GANG MEMBERS: ‘WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE’

The Savannah Police Chief confirmed the death of K-9 officer as an investigation into his death continues.  (Savannah Missouri Police Department)

It is also not known what consequences the caretaker of K-9 Horus will face or if the death will be ruled intentional or an accident. 

FOX 4 reported that the maximum temperature on Thursday was 90 degrees, with the low being 70 degrees outside.  

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, research indicates that the temperature inside a vehicle can go over 100 degrees in a half-hour, even if it’s only 70 degrees outside.

In May, Republican state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s Bill 754, also referred to as “Max’s Law” passed the Missouri House of Representatives. The bill increases penalties for injuring and killing animals in law enforcement.

FLORIDA K-9 DIES AFTER BEING SHOT WHILE PROTECTING DEPUTIES FROM ‘ARMED CRIMINAL’: SHERIFF

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer listens in 2023 as St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder testifies in support of Max’s Law. Officer Winder was Max’s K-9 handler when the police dog was killed in the line of duty. (Senate.mo.gov)

“I am happy to see this priority legislation make it across the finish line,” Luetkemeyer said when the bill passed. “This bill protects our diligent K-9 officers and the public they help protect.”

If signed by Governor Parson, Luetkemeyer said he hopes for Max’s Law to go into effect within the next few months.

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“These heroic animals put their lives on the line every day to protect the public and their human partners,” Luetkemeyer said in a previous statement. “The law should protect them.”

It is unclear if this law would come into play in the case of K-9 Horus’ death.

DETROIT – The leader of a conspiracy to sell cocaine and counterfeit pills over the dark web was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison.

Victor Hernandez, 31, of Detroit, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute illicit substances, a conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, his distribution of counterfeit pills, and the use of firearms in furtherance of the crime.

Hernandez was sentenced on Wednesday, June 26. As part of his sentencing, Hernandez was ordered to forfeit the proceeds from his crimes in the form of a $3.1 million money judgment.

Hernandez’s sister, Carolyn Hernandez-Taylor, also pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to 60 months.

Court documents revealed Hernandez ran a dark web vendor site under the moniker “Opiateconnect,” selling illicit scheduled drugs, including cocaine and various counterfeit drugs.

The counterfeit pills were made to look like alprazolam, the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medication in the United States (including under the brand name Xanax), used to manage panic and anxiety disorders. However, they were, in fact, uncontrolled research chemicals that were not scheduled for human consumption.

Federal investigators worked for months to determine the identity of “opiateconnect” and the location he was using.

That investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at Hernandez’s house in Detroit, where agents discovered a clandestine drug lab capable of producing upwards of 20,000 pills per hour.

They also found around three firearms, a “tub” containing approximately 600 grams of cocaine, thousands of pressed counterfeit alprazolam pills, $340,000 in cash, and more than $1 million in cryptocurrency.

—> Police break down how 2 women, 2 men in Metro Detroit helped move trash bags of drugs sold on dark web

Historically, the first debate of the election cycle has the biggest audience.

In 2020, the first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden had 73 million television viewers, according to Nielsen. That’s about 10 million more viewers than the presidential debate before it.

Ahead of Thursday night’s debate, TMJ4’s Tom Durian wanted to know if people in the Milwaukee area would be watching President Biden and former President Trump face off.

The response was pretty mixed.

“Absolutely not,” said Kristin Gravelle. “It’s too stressful for me. I feel like I’m not a big supporter of either really.”

“I plan on tuning in,” said John Ewing. “I’m actually going to be on the road tomorrow so I won’t see it live but I’ll definitely be watching.”

“Debates have always been a part of my keeping, but this is particularly, I would say, interesting,” added his friend Chris Trost.

TMJ4, Tom Durian

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Tom asked Nelson Bennet what topics he hopes to hear discussed during the debate.

TMJ4, Tom Durian

“Well I am sure its going to bounce up and back — oh he’s a felon, or what about the borders. The country is saddled with certain events, certain situations I hope we get clarity but we’ve got some problems,” Bennet said.

Half the voters Tom talked to said they planned to watch the debate live. Others said they would seek out clips from the debate once it was over.

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

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