This is really sad and certainly a blow to all who knew, or had a chance to see him. Hank, or "Hank the Tank" as he was affectionally referred to, one of the Kent County Sheriff's Mounted Division horses, has died the Kent County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday.

Fox 17 reported Hank was only eight-and-one-half years old and was a handsome horse. Sadly, though, the sheriff’s office says Hank began showing symptoms of Potomac Horse Fever which is a bacterial disease.

Fox17/Kent County Sheriff
Fox17/Kent County Sheriff
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Most of us, unless you work with horses, have never heard of Potomac Horse Fever and you're asking what heck is it? The website The Horse says Potomac horse fever (PHF) is a disease that affects horses during warm weather months, occasionally causing outbreaks of diarrheal illness in horses that are kept near rivers, streams, or in irrigated pastures. It was originally discovered in 1979 as a disease in horses in the Eastern United States and living near the Potomac River, thus the name Potomac Horse Fever.

HORSE GRAZING IN FIELD

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Hristo Rusev/Getty Images
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Hank was immediately treated aggressively. He fought hard, but unfortunately, the sickness was too much for his body’s immune system, and he passed away this past Saturday.

HANK WATCHES FIREWORKS DOWNTOWN ON 4TH OF JULY WHILE ON PATROL

Kent County Sheriff/Facebook
Kent County Sheriff/Facebook
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Who could forget Hank, or "Hank the Tank", the gentle giant with the distinguished "L" on his forehead. He was so gentle and affectionate with kids when the Kent County Sheriff's Mounted Unit were either patrolling during events or in parades.

HANK WAS SO SPECIAL TO KIDS

Kent County Sheriff/Facebook
Kent County Sheriff/Facebook
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Hank was a Percheron/Thoroughbred cross gelding and joined the Kent County Sheriff’s Office in 2017, after coming from Asbury University in Lexington, Kentucky.

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