Racine County Sheriff's Office mourns loss of K-9 Nox

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Racine County Sheriff's Office is saying goodbye to one of their K-9 deputies.

The sheriff's office says K-9 Nox became lethargic while off-duty April 30. His partner, Deputy Clemens, took him to an emergency veterinary hospital and learned that his kidneys were failing. 

The sheriff's office says with no other options available, K-9 Nox was put to sleep with Deputy Clemens at his side. 

He was 10-and-a-half years old. 

K-9 Nox was paired with Deputy Clemens in 2014 at the Southern Police Canine facility in North Carolina, according to a press release. It says K-9 Nox was a "dual-purpose K-9 certified in narcotic detection, evidence/article search, building search, tracking/ handler protection, and criminal apprehension." 

"It is impossible to measure the number of lives saved by the professionalism, skill, courage and commitment of Deputy Clemens and K-9 Nox," the sheriff's office wrote. 

Sheriff Schmaling stated, “Deputy Clemens, you and K-9 Nox were an incredible team that provided a tremendous service to the community.  While I know you are grieving the loss of your partner, please find comfort in that K-9 Nox lived a very full life doing what he loved – fighting crime and serving the community with his best friend.  Thank you, K-9 Nox will be missed but not forgotten.”