Earlier this year, the Jack Daniels Distillery presented a specially engraved bottle of its whiskey to the family of Officer Robert Pitts of the Terre Haute (IN) Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty in May 2018.

Officer Pitts' brother posted images of the specially engraved bottle on Facebook , and the post quickly went viral.

Greg Pitts wrote, "I've kept this to myself, other than family, for a while now. Jack Daniels has made me a bottle in honor of my brother. I can not begin to explain how much this means to me. For a company such as this to do something like this. I have no words. Jack Daniels dedicated eight men to work on this bottle."

The social media post continued, "I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Kevin Sanders, himself. The Jack Daniels barrel man. The guy that put his final approval on this bottle. It was an honor to be able to give Kevin, a challenge coin and bracelet with Rob’s name on it. It’s another way that I know Rob will never be forgotten. On behalf of me and my family, thank you!"

Officer Pitts was with several other officers following up on leads related to a homicide when the suspect opened fire on them, striking Pitts, according to police. Pitts was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

Officer Pitts had served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 16 years and prior to that, he was a six-year veteran of the Sullivan City Police Department.