Winnebago Co. Sheriff’s Office Mourns Loss of K-9 Officer

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of their K-9 officers.

In a post on their Facebook page Monday afternoon, the department announced the passing of active duty K-9 Franz.

The post explains that K-9 Franz got sick over the weekend and was taken to the Animal Referral Center in Appleton for treatment. His condition rapidly deteriorated, and he “ultimately succumbed to a brain tumor with his handler Deputy Zill and family by his side.”

The Sheriff’s Office called the loss of K-9 Franz “devastating”, and wrote that he “will be remembered as the ultimate protector of his pack, whether at work or at home.”

The Winnebago County Sherrif’s Office has two additional K-9’s on its staff – K-9 Tim and K-9 Kai.