K9 Lex – Cranston, Rhode Island

Died – 9/15/22
Handler – Officer Nathan Bagshaw

Retired police K-9 in Rhode Island dies of cancer
A retired police K-9 that served in Rhode Island for nearly seven years has died after a battle with cancer. The Cranston Police Department said K-9 Lex, who retired in April, passed away Thursday.The department shared the news on social media and included multiple photos of K-9 Lex with his handler, K-9 Officer Nathan Bagshaw. Lex was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago with the veterinarian giving him only six months to live,” police noted. “Lex far exceeded this grim projection and was able to work several more months and enjoy valuable time in retirement with the entire Bagshaw family, to include Officer Bagshaw’s son and daughter who cherished him as a family pet that they had known since a very young age.”Police said Bagshaw and K-9 Lex were “a great team,” as they seized large quantities of drugs, illegal proceeds, and guns. They also helped with numerous arrests throughout Cranston and the surrounding area.”He was also responsible for tracking and locating missing persons and visiting many schools and public functions where he was always a hit, especially due to his calm and friendly disposition,” police wrote. After his retirement, police said K-9 Lex especially loved “random trips to Dunkin Donuts in Coventry on the weekends to enjoy a donut given to him by the admiring employees.”Police asked the public to keep Bagshaw and his family, along with members of the K-9 unit, in their thoughts and prayers. The department also praised K-9 Lex for his service. Thank you K-9 Lex for your invaluable service to the Cranston Police Department and the residents of the City of Cranston,” police wrote. “Your service will never be forgotten. You can rest now your watch is over. We will take it from here.”

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Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.
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