Austin Police K9 Jax Dies Weeks Before Retirement

Jax, a Belgian Malinois, died on Dec. 27 after being rushed to the vet for a medical complication.

Austin police announced Monday that the department is mourning the death of the first-ever patrol K9 to die while still actively working, according to a social media post from the Austin Police Department Honor Guard.

Jax had been working with Officer Nate Wagner since August of 2016. Since then, the partners made 227 arrests, including 11 murder suspects. According to the department, Jax also helped out with SWAT, the Violent Crimes Task Force, the Special Victims Unit and the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, as well as sheriff's offices in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. Jax was scheduled to retire on Jan. 8.

"For those who know Nate personally, you know he is always joking around and has a goofy sense of humor. Those traits traveled right down the leash to K9 Jax. Together, they were a team that brought plenty of laughs. K9 Jax always exited the police car with his signature spin moves before he started tracking down suspects," the department said in a social media post.