LEWISTON – The mood was solemn Friday at the police station. Instead of lively talk of crime and punishment, somber stories were passed around about Duke, the police dog.

The German shepherd, a five-year member of the force, was put down Friday morning after he was struck by a car while off duty at a private residence in the city and suffered a severe back injury, Sgt. David St. Pierre said. He said further details of the incident were not being released.

Duke was thought to be about 6 years old.

Word spread quickly among the police community. Duke was remembered as an enthusiastic employee who saved lives, sniffed out illegal drugs and once made a mess in the chief’s office.

“Duke was a good dog,” said police Officer Jason Nadeau. “He was a dog that really wanted to work.”

Duke was happiest when he was on assignment in the back of a cruiser, Nadeau said. Like most cops, the dog never knew what he would be doing from one night to the next. He was used to search for missing persons or fugitives. He hunted for dope when police raided a home or a car. The dog once saved the life of a suicidal man who had walked into the woods on a frigid, winter night.

“Duke served the public very well,” said Animal Control Officer Wendell Strout.

The dog worked under the handling of police Officer Ryan Rawstron, who is on leave with an injury of his own. Before that, Duke worked with Kelly Hamel, now a sergeant.

“Duke was a dog that commanded respect,” said Charles Walton, the support services supervisor at the Police Department. “He had a bark that really got your attention.”

The animal was named the 2003 “Iron Dog” of the year by state police officials.

“At one point, animal trainers referred to Duke as the baddest’ dog in the state,” said police Detective David Chick.

Bad being an unambiguously flattering term in dog circles, of course.

Duke was also trained to protect other officers and to subdue criminal suspects if necessary. Most who worked with the dog said the animal’s size and intimidating glare was usually enough to stop a crook in his tracks.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to be a bad guy if Duke was around,” said Leola St. Amour, the senior data entry clerk at the department. “He was so good at his job.”

Investigators from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency often requested Duke specifically when doing a search. One agent said the dog’s success rate in sniffing out drugs was close to 100 percent.

One story going around the station was that Duke once made a dog-style mess in Chief William Welch’s office. It was unknown if the dog was protesting working conditions or just finding new ways to express himself.

It was also unknown Friday if there are plans to replace Duke as one of the department’s first two canine employees. By the end of the day, employees were still swapping stories about the animal and telling those who had not yet heard of his demise.

“I feel like crying. That’s so sad,” said parking enforcement officer Arlene Anctil, when she heard the news. “Duke was a beautiful dog.”