A photograph has been released showing a police officer comforting his horse as it lies critically injured on the street.

Officer Herrejon, of Houston Police Department, was riding Charlotte when the horse became startled, threw him off and ran into the street – where she was hit by a cement truck, WTSP reports.

A photo of the moments after the incident show Officer Herrejon laying beside Charlotte, comforting her in her final moments.

The driver of the vehicle is not believed to be at fault for the incident.

A statement from the Animal Justice League says the horse “was spooked, bucked the rider & ran into the street where it was unfortunately then hit by a truck.”

The Houston Police Department said of Charlotte:

"Charlotte came to HPD as an unstarted 2-year old Tennessee Walker from Oklahoma. She thrived in HPD Mounted Patrol’s barefoot and natural horsemanship programs. She passed her evaluation period with flying colors and was working the streets of Downtown Houston within a short time of being started under saddle.

"She loved her job and was always ready to go to work putting bad guys in jail or giving nuzzles to children. She served the citizens of Houston for 4 years. 

"She will be missed."

They also released some happier pictures of Charlotte at work. 

(Images: Houston Police Department)