MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. -- A Morehead City police officer and his K-9 partner will remain together even after the human officer leaves the force.

• K9 Knox was retired by the Morehead City Police Department on Monday and adopted by Officer Justin Berry and his family
• Officer Berry's last day with the Morehead City Police Department was Monday, and the department had originally planned to keep Knox on duty
• The police department says it will now be re-assessing its K-9 program and will look into purchasing a new dog

Police K-9 "Knox" and his handler Officer Justin Berry are now officially family.

Knox was retired by the Morehead City Police Department on Monday and adopted by Berry and his family.

Officer Berry's last day with the Morehead City Police Department was Monday, and the department had originally planned to keep Knox on duty.

But the decision was met with community outrage.

The police department says it will now be re-assessing its K-9 program and will look into purchasing a new dog.