The Parsons Police Department is reeling following the loss of their beloved K9 officer Karim.

 On Monday, after working a 12-hour night shift with Officer Devin Wisdom, K9 Karim was put in his kennel, and tended to as usual. Karim was checked on during the day, and after waking, Officer Wisdom found Karim unresponsive and deceased. Karim was a 4-year-old Belgium Malinois and was trained in tracking and narcotics detection. Karim was an instrumental member of the department and the inaugural member of the Parsons K9 Program. He has worked closely with the department since 2021. Karim will be sent to Kansas State University School of Veterinarian Medicine for a full autopsy to determine the cause of his passing. The Parsons Police Department will conduct a joint investigation with the Labette County Sheriff's Department to better understand the details of the incident. Details about Karim's memorial and internment will be released after the autopsy results are returned.