ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Norris, a 9-year-old K9 team member with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, was euthanized over the weekend after losing his vision in a battle with lymphoma.

“Our hearts are heavy today as we had to say goodbye to a member of our K9 team,” said Matt Marshall, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office public information director, in a press release. “Over the weekend, we learned K9 Norris, a nine-year-old German Shepherd, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma and had lost his ability to see. As a result, the difficult decision was made to euthanize K9 Norris to prevent any suffering.”

K9 Norris was assigned to the BCSO Illegal Gun Reduction and Narcotics Task Force and worked with his handler, BCSO Deputy Dane Onderdonk, to track, detect narcotics and protect his handler.

“K9 Norris served the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the community of Buncombe with honor, playing a significant role in removing dangerous narcotics from our community,” Marshall said.