ALPHARETTA, Ga. - The Alpharetta Police Department is mourning the loss of a retired K9 officer.

What we know:

The department said K9 Mattis died Sunday after a recent battle with kidney disease.

The 12-year-old retired from the police department in 2021 but still holds the record of the most decorated dog in the department.

Mattis holds the record for most apprehensions and (Felony and Misdemeanor) arrests in the department’s history.

One of those arrests left Mattis fighting for his life after a 30-foot fall. At the time, investigators said Mattis was running after a suspect who bailed from a vehicle . The suspect jumped over a 30-foot wall with Mattis just behind, according to police. Even with internal bleeding and a lacerated liver, police said Mattis helped catch two suspect

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