New York City (USA) - A cute police dog has a very special honor: he was named after his owner's father who died on duty!

37-year-old Katrina Narvaez was just nine years old when her father, Frederico Narvaez, was tragically shot dead during a police operation in October 1996.

As the New York Post reported, his daughter joined the special police unit some 22 years later.

It was there that she met her four-legged best friend: a German Wirehaired/Labrador mix.

She didn't have to think twice: she wanted to name him after her father. So the furry friend was christened Freddy, her dad's nickname.

"I feel honored that they allowed me to name him after my father. I wasn't sure if they would allow it. It meant a lot to me when they told me I could do it," says the 37-year-old.

The four-legged friend not only has a special name and looks cute, he is also an important part of the team. Because the eight-year-old dog is a specialist when it comes to finding weapons and explosive material.

Even though Katrina was able to find some comfort with Freddy, she still often thinks back to her dad.

"He was a great father. He was just a great person to be with. [...] I could just go home after school and we would hang out together for the rest of the day," the policewoman recalled.

The then nine-year-old found out about her father's death through his colleagues. Shortly afterwards, she realized that she also wanted to become a police officer. When she found out that it was possible to work with dogs, there was no other profession for the 37-year-old.

"I feel that the main aim of a police officer is to help people and I really enjoy doing that."

Freddy will soon be taking his well-deserved retirement. Katrina, who has now been on the force for twelve years, will then be working with a new dog by her side.