Former Suquamish Police Officer Kurt Enget died Friday morning following treatment for symptoms similar to COVID-19, the city of Bainbridge Island announced.

The official cause of death is not known; city officials said the Kitsap County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Enget, 49, was a five-year veteran of the Bainbridge Island Police Department.

City officials said he was being treated at Harrison Medical Center at the time of his passing.

“Our entire city family is heartbroken as we mourn his loss and extend our support to Officer Enget’s family,” the city said in its announcement.

“Kurt was a very important member of our team, known by so many in our community, including those at the dog park where he often brought K-9 Whitney,” said Interim Police Chief Scott Weiss.

“He was a friendly and caring officer who embodied what it means to be a member of the Bainbridge Island Police Department. He was an irreplaceable colleague, dedicated to service to the entire community, and we will miss him greatly,” Weiss said.

Enget was a 1989 graduate of South Kitsap High School and worked at Safeway for 18 years before pursuing a career in law enforcement.

He first joined the ranks in 2005 at the Suquamish Police Department, then joined the Bainbridge department in 2015.

In 2017, Enget completed K-9 training. At the time of his death, he was a certified K-9 handler to his partner, Whitney, the city’s newest police dog.

Enget and Whitney earned multiple commendations for their work together, including praise for assistance in a 2019 fatal fire in Port Angeles and also work during a drug investigation that same year.

Enget also received two life-saving awards in 2018; one for the rescue of a capsized kayaker, and another for his role in the Eagle Harbor officer-involved shooting.

“I am deeply saddened by Officer Enget’s passing. We have lost a special member of our city family,” said City Manager Morgan Smith.”

“My thoughts are with Offficer Enget’s loved ones and the officers who served with him,” she said. “I am confident that our police officers will continue to serve the community during this sad time with a high level of professional service.”

Enget is survived by his wife, Yevette; three children; and two grandchildren.

A fund has been established by the Bainbridge Island Police Guild to help Enget’s family (https://www.gofundme.com/f/bipg-support-for-kurt-and-yvette-enget?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1).

Enget’s last day on duty was Friday, March 27.

City officials said they did not have any information about possible exposure at this time because it was not clear if Enget had COVID-19.