K9 Rexx

My name is Connor Craig. I am a police officer employed with the City of McKeesport Police Department and I'm currently assigned to the K-9 unit. On Monday the 24th of October at 9:00 AM, I lost my partner "Rexx" to an unknown neurological problem with complications, including bloat.

In the spring of 2000 I was assigned to the city's K-9 unit and there I met my partner. With the help of NAPWDA master trainer William Sombo we began patrol/narcotics training. During this training I learned that Rexx knew more about his job than me - I then became the "dummy" at the end of the leash. Throughout his career Rexx never ceased to amaze me, whether he was performing socialization drills with children during our school programs, locating fleeing suspects, finding narcotics, tracking missing children or ultimately saving my life.

During a traffic stop conducted directly after an assault involving firearms, the passenger of the suspect vehicle I had stopped exited with a Tec-9 pistol and attempted to bring that weapon to bear against me (not being aware that Rexx was directly outside his door). Rexx, without hesitation, apprehended the suspect, causing him to drop the firearm and allowing me to take him into custody.

Now as I await word on funding for a new K-9, I can't help remember the nights of working third shift with him snoring in his kennel, or the multitude of fur flying around in the car during a pursuit. I can only hope that my next K-9 partner has just some of the bravery and un-wavering dedication that Rexx had.

Rexx was more than just a partner he was a friend... and he will be missed.

Conner Craig
McKeesport Police Dept