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Died – 3/1/16
Handler – Deputy Tim Patterson
K-9 Dax crosses the Rainbow Bridge
Dax, the K-9 officer who survived a 30-foot fall onto a concrete floor while in the line of duty last December, has passed away after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tim Patterson, who served as Dax’s handler for seven years, said he and his family were heartbroken over the loss. “My wife and daughters are devastated, just like I am,” Patterson said. “He was a member of the family.” Dax suffered a serious leg injury on Dec. 21 while he and Patterson were investigating a possible burglary at a home in Destin. While searching the residence, Dax fell through the attic floor. He was taken to Bluewater Animal Hospital and later transferred to a veterinarian in Pensacola, where he underwent surgery. Dax spent the next six weeks recovering in a kennel.“We took him for a follow up, and the doctor said we should try kenneling him for two more weeks,” Patterson recalled. “After that, I took him out to our property where we have a little pond. He loves to swim, but I could tell that he was having trouble walking.” Patterson took Dax to see a specialist at Mississippi State University on Monday. “When they told us that he had cancer and it was inoperable, we knew what we had to do,” Patterson said softly. “I called Dr. Harris at Bluewater Animal Hospital and told him we’d be in first thing in the morning. I can’t say enough good things about the folks at the animal hospital. They are so helpful and caring.” During their seven years together, Dax and Patterson had many adventures. “We tracked a lot of bad guys,” Patterson said with a laugh. “He was a phenomenal tracking dog.” In 2014, Dax and Paterson were recognized by the U.S. Police Canine Association for their work in assisting the Crestview Police Department during a felony search warrant. Dax was a USPCA Region I and National Champion in agility in 2012. “He was a beast in physical fitness and drive,” said Patterson’s wife, Lori. “He also won first place in the 2013 Region I trials. Dax and Tim were consistently in the Top 20 and better teams.” Lori said Dax lived for Tim, and was always ready to go to work. “He would bark incessantly to try to hurry Tim along … as … Tim was getting ready to go on duty,” Lori said. “Nothing would deter his attention, not even an offer of a Funyun (his favorite people snack).” Sheriff Larry Ashley, himself a former canine officer, said Dax would be sorely missed by the other members of the Sheriff’s Office. “He was a great dog,” Ashley said. “We hate to lose any of our animal friends.”
