Photo Provided K-9 Midas was brought to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office in 2015. He is shown with his handler, Deputy Patrick Hoder.

An “unfortunate series of events” has led to the death of a Hancock County Sheriff’s Office K-9, according to officials.

Sheriff Ralph A. Fletcher, in a statement released Monday to the public via Facebook, announced the death of K-9 Midas, who had been with the department since 2015.

“K-9 Midas was in his vehicle kennel when the air conditioning unit of the cruiser malfunctioned and failed to continue to operate. Our K-9 vehicles are installed with safety equipment windows which are designed to drop the two back windows, activate a window fan and sound an alarm when the temperature reaches a particular level. Unfortunately, this equipment failed also. Once it was discovered the equipment had all failed, immediate steps were taken to assist the distressed canine,” Fletcher said.

Officers attempted to lower Midas’ temperature by packing him with ice at which time he was immediately transported to the Town and County Animal Hospital in Wheeling, Fletcher said. Wheeling Police were notified of the emergency transport and intercepted units at the city limits where more ice was applied to the lethargic canine.

“The veterinarian, along with staff, took over and Midas started responding within a short time. Throughout the day, positive updates on Midas’ health continued to be passed on from the clinic to the handler. … Midas was sedated in order to give him rest. However, Midas managed to pull his catheter out, and it is believed that this action may have caused a blood clot to be dislodged with a seizure following its passing, at which time he immediately expired,” Fletcher noted.

The sheriff said Midas will not only be missed by his handler, Deputy Patrick Hoder, but by the entire Hoder household as the K-9 had endeared himself as a member of the family, according to Fletcher.

Hoder is a 15-year member of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and has served as a K-9 handler for the past 11 years. Midas was 4 years old.