The Omaha Police Department briefly had a mascot in an area squirrel that was always hanging around.
The brief but memorable life of a squirrel once beloved by a Nebraska police department is being remembered this week as the mystery of its untimely death remains unsolved.
The critter, dubbed @OpdSquirrel on social media and named the the unofficial mascot of the Omaha Police Department since it started to come around in March, was found dead this week in a precinct parking lot.
The @OpdSquirrel will do anything for a treat! Very resourceful there buddy! pic.twitter.com/adDXOY11uJ
— Ofc. Mike Bossman (@OPDOfcBossman) April 14, 2016
"We are sad to announce that @OpdSquirrel has been found dead in the parking lot. We are not investigating," Ofc. Mike Bossman posted on Twitter Tuesday.
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The rodent first appeared on the department's social media March 5, when Sgt. Jason Menning tweeted a photo of it being fed.
"Nice day to feed the OPD traffic mascot," the post read.
@OPDOfcBossman he is back and loves buffalo flavored sunflower seeds pic.twitter.com/wRS5SI0qNi
— Sgt.Jason Menning (@OPDSgtMenning) March 10, 2016
It was the first of many. By March 10, the squirrel had its own Twitter account.
The Twitter bio read: "Granola bars, buffalo flavored sunflower seeds, and traffic cops... fostering positive Police/Squirrel relations since 2016."
5 o'clock feeding for OPD traffic mascot pic.twitter.com/WXWXpO3j3B
— Sgt.Jason Menning (@OPDSgtMenning) March 16, 2016
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However, the celebration of police/squirrel camaraderie was short-lived. After over a month of adorable photos appearing on the squirrel's feed, the Twitter bio was changed to something far more somber.
We are sad to announce that @OpdSquirrel has been found dead in the parking lot. We are not investigating. #OPD pic.twitter.com/MHTv5oc9Ln
— Ofc. Mike Bossman (@OPDOfcBossman) April 19, 2016
@sunshinehandley @OpdSquirrel so was I! I just fed her this morning. Life is short!
— Ofc. Mike Bossman (@OPDOfcBossman) April 19, 2016
"RIP 2016. Want to help? Donate to@FRFOmaha #supportblue" it now reads.
Ofc. Bossman took to Twitter, appropriately, to grieve.
"I just fed her this morning. Life is short!" he wrote.
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