A New Canaan police dog died on Sunday afternoon when he choked on a training ball during training.
Rocky joined the department in November, according to the New Canaan Advertiser.
Police said Officer Michael McFadden tried to dislodge the ball, but he could not and Rocky died.
“We are all mourning the loss of an exceptional police dog,” police said in a statement.
McFadden told the NC Advertiser in November that the department looked at 12 German Shepherds before choosing 3-year-old Rocky to succeed Zira, who was retired after suffering a spinal condition.
Photo Credit: Cristina Commendatore/New Canaan Advertiser