TURNERS FALLS — Police from across western Massachusetts gathered Tuesday morning to say goodbye to Montague Police K-9 Artie.

Artie, who served the Montague Police Department for nearly a decade, was euthanized on Wednesday, Oct. 2, following a sudden cancer diagnosis the day before.

People lined up along Avenue A at the end of the Turners Falls-Gill Bridge to watch the procession, which brought Artie’s cremated remains from the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield to the Montague Public Safety Complex. More than 20 police cruisers participated, including K-9 units from Springfield, Chicopee, Erving and Amherst.

Gill resident Jim Ellis and his daughter stood outside the Great Falls Discovery Center to pay their respects to Artie. As a lifelong resident, Ellis said he felt compelled to say goodbye to a K-9 who was a “great in-between,” connecting law enforcement and the community.

“Through his lifetime, he’s done wonderful things in connecting with the community,” Ellis said. “He was the epitome of what a police officer should be.”

Erving resident Ann Hill stood with her 12-year-old dog Bing, watching the procession from the sidewalk near the bridge. She spoke emotionally about the procession, saying that as a dog lover, she wanted to pay her respects.

“He did so many years of service — it was honorable,” Hill said.

At the Montague Public Safety Complex, residents and members of law enforcement gathered to pay their respects to Artie’s handler, Montague Police Officer James Ruddock. Ruddock greeted people with hugs and handshakes as the small box containing Artie’s ashes was displayed at the front of the conference room alongside his leash and collar.

Ruddock said that watching people line up along the procession route, showing their appreciation for Artie, was comforting for him.

“Watching everyone come out honoring K-9 Artie, it was a true testament to see all the support. I appreciate everyone coming,” Ruddock told those gathered at the Public Safety Complex. “If he was here, he’d absolutely love it.”

Police Chief Christopher Williams said Artie’s death is not just a loss for Ruddock, but for the entire department.

“The news was very heavy on everyone here,” Williams said, adding that Artie was a very good working dog who helped the department locate lost people and find narcotics.

Tracking, evidence recovery, training in different search locations and conditions, narcotics detection and aggression control were all part of Artie’s resume. During his nearly decade-long career with the Montague Police Department, Artie had many successful missions with Ruddock and became something of a local celebrity.

Williams and Ruddock noted the department intends to get a new K-9, which will be under Ruddock’s care.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.