K9 dogs are an invaluable part of the police force and do an incredible job saving people and keeping their communities safe, putting their lives on the line in the same way that their human partners do.These dogs become cherished members of any police force, but their most important bond is with their handlers.They are not only partners on the job, protecting each other in the line of duty, but they are also friends off the job: most handlers keep their dogs as pets.That was the case for Officer Decristoforo of the Central Falls Police Department and his K9 partner Axel. Sadly, the police dog recently passed away… and a heartbreaking photo shows just how much the loss meant to the officer.