A sheriff and his tiny police dog have died on the same day.
Dan McClelland, 67, and his crime-fighting chihuahua-rat terrier cross Midge, 16, died in Geauga County, Ohio on Wednesday.
County Sheriff McClelland died in hospital from cancer, hours before his beloved pet passed away at home.
Midge spent 10 years serving with the Geauga County force alongside her owner before the pair retired in 2016.
When Midge joined the police in 2006, she entered the Guinness World Records by becoming the smallest police dog in the world.
Unlike her larger counterparts, when on drug raids she would not tear the upholstery of a car or leave muddy paw prints.
Her size meant she had no problem searching underneath vehicles and was able to sleep on her owner’s lap as he sat at his desk.
Midge became so well known in the area, residents would often remember her over her owner.
Mr McClelland’s successor Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand recalled: “He used to joke that people would see him in a parade in a car and would say, ‘Hey, there’s Midge and whatshisname’.
“I think she was more popular than him.”
Former spokesperson for the sheriff’s office Lt John Hiscox added: “It was like bringing Elvis Presley to the midway.”
McClelland served as sheriff for 13 years and 44 with the force in total.
His colleagues were surprised when he announced he was retiring and going travelling around the country with his wife and treasured pet.
Mr Hildenbrand added: “He spent 44 years protecting people in this county and, quite frankly, he loved his job, every minute of it. I thought he’d never retire.”
The McClelland family said the two loved ones will be buried together.