MARION – A long-time Marion Police Department K9 has passed away.

Marion Police Chief David Fitts says K9 Loeki passed away Monday. Loeki was 14 years old.

Loeki, a Belgian Malinois, was a 12-plus year member of the Marion Police Department.

Chief Fitts says it was initially planned for Loeki to officially retire Thursday; however, she decided that Monday was the day.

Loeki was the faithful partner and companion of Sgt. Justin Francis for the entirety of her police career.

Loeki began her police career in June of 2012 after graduating from the K9 school of Von Liche Kennels Inc. in Denver, IN.

During her career, Loeki had 25 apprehensions, 326 successful tracks, assisted in the seizure of 2,700 pounds of narcotics, and close to $275,000 in U.S. currency.