Farewell Deputy Fritz

Deputy Fritz #K971, the Kimball County Sheriff's Office canine passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2016 following a sudden illness.

Fritz and Kimball Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Loy graduated their training on Jan. 14, 2012 and have been attached at the hip since, according to Loy.

At nearly nine years old, Fritz was nearing retirement age when he was rushed to Prairie Animal Hospital in Kimball Sunday evening and died within minutes.

"I received a call from Deputy Brandon Loy at approximately 7:20 p.m., that he was in route to Prairie Animal Hospital as Fritz was very ill," Sheriff Harry Gillway said. "He called again at approximately 7:26 and told me Fritz had died and that the vet suspected a bowel obstruction."

Kimball Sheriff's Deputy Osborn further reported that Fritz's abdomen had quickly become very enlarged just prior to being rushed to the vet.

"This is a very tragic loss," Gillway said.

A last call tribute and memorial is being planned for Fritz, according to Gillway.