A community mourned the tragic death of Rivan, a young K-9 that served at Sussex I State Prison, and was killed just a few weeks before what would have been his sixth birthday.
The Virginia Department of Corrections held a memorial service Thursday for Rivan, a Belgian Malinois killed by inmates at Sussex I State Prison on April 2.
According to the VADOC, Rivan was killed in the line of duty earlier this month, "heroically protecting" his assigned Correction Officer, staff, and other inmates at Sussex I State Prison.
A packed crowd at the Virginia Department of Corrections Academy for Staff Development gathered Thursday to honor Rivan, the K-9 who lost his life in the line of duty.