UPDATE: Officials say a police dog found dead this morning was likely hit by a train.
Lucy, a Belgium Malinois, had been with the sheriff's department since October. She was presented "Top Dog" during United States Police Canine Association Inc. certifications last year, according to a news release from the Bradley County Sheriff's Office. Her body was found this morning near a railroad track in McMinn County.
"Our agency is saddened by the tragic death of K-9 Deputy Lucy," Sheriff Eric Watson said in the release. "She was a great asset to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, and served this agency well beside her assigned K-9 handler. Our female canine deputy will be buried with full honors, and Faithful Friends has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
"I petition the community to pray for Lucy's K-9 handler, Deputy Chris Shope, during this time who treasured Lucy tremendously."
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ORIGINAL STORY: Lucy, the Bradley County Sheriff's missing police dog, was found dead Monday morning at 10:19 a.m.
Lucy had been reported missing on Sunday. She was gone when caretakers checked her kennel in Charleston, Tenn., Sunday, BCSO spokesman James E. Bradford Jr. said in a statement.
He said the caretaker found the dog's kennel empty and immediately notified Lucy's handler.