A heartbreaking photograph of six-year-old Charlotte being comforted in her final moments by her rider and partner has been shared on Facebook by an animal rescue organisation.
The Tennessee walking horse became spooked, threw her rider and ran into the street on 3 December, where she was struck by the vehicle, the Animal Justice League said.
Her rider, Officer D Herrejon, rushed to her side and laid his head on hers as she died.
In a statement, Houston Police Department wrote: "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Charlotte, and HPD Mounted Patrol horse, who died in the line of duty this morning in a motor vehicle accident.
"She loved her job and was always ready to go to work putting bad guys in jail or giving nuzzles to children."
Charlotte had served as a Mounted Patrol horse for four years.
Officer Herrejon was taken to hospital as a precaution after the accident.
The driver of the truck has not been charged.
The Animal Justice League, on its Facebook page, wrote: "We admire the heart & strength of this officer because as you know, when you lose an animal, to be with them during their last breath is a heartbreaking & tough thing to do.
"Thank you to him for loving his partner & friend until the end. Our hearts go out to him & the HPD family. RIP Charlotte."
