Alpha, Frankfort's 1st Police Dog, Dies

FRANKFORT, IL — The Frankfort Police Department is mourning the death of its retired police dog. Alpha was the village's first K9 officer, and he served on the force from 2006 to 2011, the department announced Thursday. He died April 18.

"Alpha faithfully served the community of Frankfort … and we are grateful for his service," the police department wrote on its Facebook page. "We would like to thank his partner Officer [Kevin] Lanz and his family for the care and companionship they provided Alpha during his years of service, and during his years of retirement. We know he was a loved member of the Lanz family and will be deeply missed."

The German shephard needed to retire in August 2011 because of hip and arthritis issues in his left leg, which forced him to walk with a limp. Alpha also required longer recover times between training and deployment, and the department's command staff and the dog's veternarian decided it was best for him to retire.

RELATED: Village's First and Only K9 Officer Retires

During his time on the force, the K9 worked cases involving drug detection, building searches and locker checks. He also worked with the DARE programs at Frankfort schools and served as a PR representative for the department.

"We know that Alpha has done a good job for us. We've been very pleased with the results," Mayor Jim Holland said during a retirement presentation for the dog at a 2011 Village Board meeting in which the dog was given a retirement toy bone.

Condolences were offered to the Lanz family on the Frankfort Police Department's Facebok page. That included posts from Frankfort Township Animal Control Officer Karen Zobjeck and the neighboring Richton Police Department.

Alpha was the Frankfort Police Department's first K9 officer. (Photos via Frankfort Police Department)

Mayor Jim Holland (right) honors Alpha and Officer Kevin Lanz during a retirement presentation for the dog at a Village Board meeting in August of 2011. (Photo by Joe Vince | Patch archive)