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Placer County Sheriff's K-9 Eros dies of prostate cancer months after recovering from shooting

Eros was shot January 15 after sheriff's deputies aided Roseville Police Officers in arresting a man who allegedly went on a shooting spree in Placer County.

SACRAMENTO, Calif — In a sad turn of events, Placer County K-9 Deputy Eros, who was shot during an arrest in January, died late Thursday night after a battle with Prostate cancer, sheriff's department officials said.

The Placer County Sheriff's Department announce Eros' death in a tweet early Friday morning along with a tribute video.

"The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is saddened to announce the passing of K-9 Eros," the tweet read. "Eros was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer."

Eros was shot January 15 after sheriff's deputies aided Roseville Police Officers in arresting Stanley Stepanski III, who allegedly killed one person and injured another during a shooting spree in Newcastle and Loomis. Stepanski was killed during a shootout with officers and deputies.

Mary Toste, 93, was standing outside of her front door with the Stepanski began firing from his truck. Toste later died at the hospital.

Eros left the hospital days later, walking out on his own accord before being lifted into a truck to head home to recover. Weeks later, the sheriff's department announced that Eros was up and running again preparing to return to duty.

In March, Eros returned to work after passing physical tests.

Placer County Sheriff's Department said Eros was "surrounded by his handler Deputy Kevin Thompson, his wife Blanca and your Sheriff’s Office K9 unit," when he "crossed the rainbow bridge."

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