The Florissant Police Department lost a valued member of its team in the early morning hours of April 14, Chief William Karabas sadly informed residents in a press release Monday.

After he finished his shift on April 13, Karabas said Bach, a K-9 officer who was born in the Czech Republic in 2001, passed away. The department purchased Bach in September of 2004 and assigned him to Officer Patrick O’Fallon. The pair graduated from the St. Louis City Canine Training School in November of the same year.

“I have not only lost a partner, but a family member,” O’Fallon said.

Bach was a decorated officer, having received two certificates of merit during his nearly eight years of service, including one in June 2005 for apprehending a suspect wanted for tampering and assaulting a law officer, and one in September 2006 for apprehending a suspect wanted for parole violation, rape and child molestation.

Among his other awards were two letters of commendation and Outstanding K-9 Service Awards from the German Shepherd Dog Club of St. Louis in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Bach lived with O’Fallon’s family, including his wife Pam and son Patrick, who were planning to transition Bach into retirement during the summer.

“Bach was an officer,” Karabas said. “He worked just as hard, and he needs to be remembered just as much.”