Elliot was a go-to horse.

Need to train a new State Police officer in the equestrian unit? Turn to Elliot. Sending a horse unit to a school event with little children? Pick Elliot. A younger horse is having adjustment issues? Pair him with Elliot.

For 15 years, Elliot was a shining example of what a police horse should be, officers said. But after suffering an injury, the popular horse died Sunday at the State Police Mounted Unit stables in Acton. He was buried later that day.

“He was just a gentle and kind horse,’’ said State Police Sergeant Maureen Lewis, the officer in charge of the mounted unit. “He was a very dependable horse to do his job.’’

Elliot, a thoroughbred in his early 20s, was a crowd favorite at parks, beaches, sporting events, and other public gatherings, Lewis said.

“People always tended to go to Elliot [because of his calm demeanor and noble stature],’’ Lewis said. “He was so good with people.’’

He had an easy way with children and was a top choice for school visits, Lewis said. Elliot was smaller than many horses, and less intimating.

He was also a popular choice to train new troopers, Lewis said.

“All the new guys that come through here, everyone would at one point get on Elliot,’’ she said.

Elliot had plenty of energy and seemed to have a lot more life left in him, said Jack Linquata, a sergeant who worked with the horse.

“He was incredibly brave, and he would do anything, go anywhere, walk through anything,’’ Linquata said.

While he was good with people, Elliot was somewhat reclusive, Linquata said. He liked to be alone and simply did his job when needed.

“He was one of the best we had,’’ Linquata said.

Elliot excelled at equestrian competitions, too. With Trooper Cristel Sloan, he finished third in the combined flat and obstacle course at the 2014 North American Police Equestrian Championships in Delaware. He was also part of the first-place team at the 2015 Police Horse Pace Challenge.

Elliot was buried with some of his awards and a photograph of him patrolling an event. He was surrounded by mounted unit troopers, who saluted as he was laid to rest.

When the troopers learned about Elliot’s death Sunday, they were told they could go home if they wanted, Lewis said. Everyone stayed for the burial.

In a Facebook post announcing Elliot’s death Monday, State Police described him as “a true gentleman and a true trooper to the end.’’ By Tuesday afternoon, the post had received more than 7,500 likes and 1,800 shares. More than 1,200 people commented.

“I had seen you at many events and you were a magnificent officer,’’ one man wrote. “My condolences to every trooper who had the distinct pleasure of being Elliot’s partner.’’

J.D. Capelouto can be reached at jd.capelouto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jdcapelouto.