People can’t get enough of the amazing relationship this officer has with his K9
When Sgt. Mark Tappen saw K9 Mattis falling down a 30-foot drop, he wasn’t sure if the dog would survive.
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On that fateful night in 2016, Tappen and K9 Mattis, members of the Alpharetta Police Department, had pulled over two suspects who then began fleeing on foot. While fleeing, the unnamed suspects attempted to hop over a nearby guardrail, but the six-year-old German shepherd was hot on their trail.
Unfortunately, neither Mattis nor his handler realized how high the ledge would be – and by the time they did, it was too late. “I started to jump over the guardrail and then I stopped myself,” Tappen told 11Alive News.
“Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my partner in full flight.”
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By some stroke of fate, K9 Mattis landed on the suspect and was able to guard him until other officers arrived for the arrest. K9 Mattis then helped Tappen chase down the second suspect before collapsing on the ground.
Mattis was rushed to an emergency veterinarian, where Tappen learned Mattis had sustained a lacerated liver during his fall. In an interview, Tappen recalled: “I was a wreck for about 48 hours.”
Luckily, however, Mattis quickly recovered.
“When he came out of surgery at the emergency vet, that was one of the best feelings in the world.”
“I was so happy. I had my buddy back.”
Not only was Mattis alive and well, but he later went on to receive numerous awards for his service and bravery, including a Purple Heart, Officer of the Year, and the Director’s Award for Exceptional Service.
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As you can imagine, Tappen and Mattis have a long history together. Tappen joined the Alpharetta K9 unit fourteen years ago in 2006 and is now the leader of the whole team. And while Tappen loves all his K9 coworkers, it’s no surprise that he shares a special bond with his partner Mattis. “He lives with me. He goes home with me. He plays with my kids. He annoys my wife,” said Tappen.
“The time I spend with him, it’s more important than any other person on this earth… He is my best friend.”
K9 Mattis and Tappen have become famous on Instagram and Tik Tok.
The duo shares adorable photos and funny videos, and Tappen also discusses their adventures on the job. This online popularity and with Mattis’ undeniable skill and bravery, are likely caught the eye of A&E producers.
The two were invited to compete on the first season of America’s Top Dog.
The series, which has been described as America Ninja Warrior for dogs, has the best police and civilian canines from all over the nation competing in athletic training challenges. Mattis and Tappen performed exceptionally well during their appearance, defeating their competitors and advancing to the final round.
Unfortunately, K9 Mattis tripped up a bit on the hanging plank portion of the final race. While Mattis made a quick comeback and was able to complete the task, Morris County’s K9 Kai and his handler Cpl. Michael McMahon beat Mattis’s time by nine seconds. You can watch the final round here:
Despite Tappen and Mattis’ brief taste of fame, the two are back on the streets of Alpharetta, protecting the public and entertaining fans with their quirky videos and photos.
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Learn more about the amazing duo in the video below!
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Source: LADbible via Facebook, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, LawOfficer.com, 11Alive, A&E via YouTube, @adps_k9_mattis via Instagram