Retired Paulding County Sheriff's Office K-9 Dies At 15

DALLAS, GA — A retired canine with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office died Monday, authorities said in a news release.

Major was with the K-9 Unit in the sheriff's office from September 2009 to September 2018, when he retired.

His cause of death is unknown.

He would have turned 16-years-old in April, authorities said. His handler was Maj. Billy Hurst.

"K-9 Major passed away peacefully with those that loved him most by his side," authorities said in the release.

Major served a dual role at the sheriff's office, being trained in patrol skills and narcotics detection, authorities said. His career accomplishments included several felony apprehensions and narcotics seizures, authorities said.

Throughout the course of his career, K-9 Major was responsible for numerous felony apprehensions and many narcotics seizures, authorities said.

“Major and Billy were a great team and a true asset to Paulding County," Sheriff Gary Gulledge said in the release. "Major was one of the most fun and strongest dogs I ever had the privilege to work alongside. Law-enforcement canines live their lives to serve the communities they work for. K-9 Major was the epitome of this. He will be sorely missed by us all.”

Major's name, birth year and death year will be inscribed on the K-9 Memorial sitting in front of the sheriff's office.

"K-9 Major’s legacy will live forever on the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Memorial. Please keep the sheriff's office and the law-enforcement K-9 community in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," authorities said in the release.