FOND DU LAC, Wis. (CBS 58) — The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of K-9 Ace, who died following medical complications after nearly six years of service.

"It is with profound sadness that the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office announces the unexpected passing of K9 Ace following medical complications," the sheriff's office wrote on social media.

Ace joined the sheriff's office in August 2020 and served alongside his handler, Sgt. Andrew Kohlmann.

During his career, Ace demonstrated what the sheriff's office described as an extraordinary level of dedication, courage and commitment to the community.

Kohlmann and Ace were deployed 479 times together, resulting in 496 arrests and numerous instances in which the sheriff's office said Ace's skills helped keep law enforcement officers and community members safe.

Throughout his career, Ace helped locate and seize significant amounts of illegal drugs, firearms and other evidence. According to the sheriff's office, those seizures included 1,347 grams of cocaine, 1,080 grams of heroin, 2,657 grams of methamphetamine, 2,070 MDMA pills and more than 1,500 scheduled narcotic pills and prescription medications.

Ace was also credited with assisting in 236 drug paraphernalia arrests and citations, the seizure of 35 illegally possessed firearms and the recovery of more than $100,000 in drug-related cash.

"K9 Ace was more than a law enforcement tool," the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office said. "He was a partner, a protector, and a beloved member of the sheriff's office family."

The sheriff's office said the bond between Ace and Kohlmann extended beyond their work, with the two forming a partnership built on training, instinct and trust.

Ace served alongside fellow deputies when called upon and helped remove dangerous drugs and weapons from the streets during his six years with the department.

"Today, we ask the citizens of Fond du Lac County to join us in remembering K9 Ace and honoring the six years of faithful service he gave to our community," the sheriff's office said. "To Sgt. Kohlmann, we recognize the tremendous bond between you and K9 Ace, and the loss that comes with saying goodbye to a trusted partner and friend. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office and the citizens you served together are grateful for everything you both gave to this community."

The sheriff's office concluded its tribute with a final message for Ace.

"Rest easy K9 Ace, your watch is over, and your six other four-legged partners will take it from here."