Police dogs are an invaluable part of any police department. They do critical police work, including tracking down missing people. They’re also beloved by their fellow officers, seen as both a pet and a colleague.

When the time comes for these dogs to cross over the rainbow bridge, they deserve a respectful send-off that recognizes their life of hard work and heroism.

That’s what one terminally ill K9 received, with a touching final salute from his fellow officers.

A German shepherd named Candy was part of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office since 2014, serving as their first narcotics detection dog. In her almost-decade of service, she performed over 2,900 operational searches, helping to seize 278 pounds of illegal narcotics, according to the sheriff’s office.

Candy formed a special bond with her handler, Master Deputy II Anthony “Tony” Natalzia. “She went everywhere with me,” Natalzia told McClatchy News. “You see these dogs more than you see your family.”

But recently he started to notice the 11-year-old dog slowing down. Candy developed a limp and would not eat her food. He took her to the vet, and it was discovered that Candy had cancer which had spread throughout her body.

“It was in her lungs, it was everywhere,” Natalzia said. “The vet said there was nothing they could do and I couldn’t even comprehend it – we had only gone for a routine visit.”