Died 6\/7\/24
\nHandler – Sgt. Thomas Moser<\/p>\n
Garfield County Sheriff\u2019s Department mourns beloved K9 Officer Rex<\/p>\n
The Garfield County Sheriff\u2019s Department bid a heartfelt farewell to one of its most cherished members, K9 Officer Rex, who was euthanized on Friday due to complications from bone cancer. Rex, a vital part of the force, was believed to be about eight years old and originally from Slovakia. His exact age remains uncertain after his importation papers were lost.\u201cIt\u2019s something we all have to deal with as handlers. We know it\u2019s coming, it just came quicker than we thought it would,\u201d Sgt. Thomas Moser said. \u201cHe is a big part of this department and we are going to miss him, but it\u2019s time.\u201dMoser, Rex\u2019s handler, has been by his side throughout his service and was deeply affected by his decline.\u201cI thought I\u2019d have another year or two with him,\u201d he said, emphasizing the suddenness of Rex\u2019s deterioration.During his tenure, Rex was a formidable force against crime, participating in roughly 165 narcotics deployments and approximately 35 patrol operations. These efforts led to about 50 arrests, showcasing his effectiveness in law enforcement activities.One notable incident in Rex\u2019s career occurred when he was attacked by an assailant with a knife in a river, which left him with a permanent \u2018cauliflower ear.\u2019 Despite the injury, Rex maintained his playful spirit and continued to serve.\u201cHe\u2019s kind of just a goofball and a junkyard dog at the same time,\u201d Moser recounted fondly.Beyond his law enforcement duties, Rex had a beloved toy, a pineapple, which he cherished as his \u201cpacifier.\u201d This toy accompanied him on walks and was a constant source of comfort. \u201cHe likes to just carry it around everywhere he goes,\u201d Moser said, detailing how Rex would bury it in the snow and happily dig it out repeatedly during winter months.Rex\u2019s battle with cancer began last October when it first manifested between his toes. After the removal of one toe in November, his handlers hoped for recovery. However, the cancer returned aggressively, affecting other areas of his paw. \u201cIt seems to be really aggressive and it\u2019s gotten a bit worse even in the last three or four days,\u201d Moser explained, noting the rapid progression of the disease and the severe impact on Rex\u2019s quality of life.Cpl. Trisha Worley also shared her emotions regarding Rex\u2019s passing.\u201cIt\u2019s heartbreaking. We are a big family and we spend a lot of time together,\u201d Worley said, highlighting the close-knit nature of the K9 unit. Worley described Rex as \u201cfull of character\u201d and noted how he balanced his protective instincts with a bubbly personality that endeared him to all.\u201cHe knows when it\u2019s time to work and he knows when he can relax a little bit,\u201d Worley said. \u201cHe is such a character that brightens your day every time you see him.\u201dDuring Thursday\u2019s farewell gathering at the Garfield County\u2019s Sheriff\u2019s Office in Rifle, Rex displayed that character, constantly finding his way to the pulled pork and ribs catered for his goodbye despite his complications.At home, Rex was much more than a police dog; he was a cherished member of the Moser family.\u201cAt home, he\u2019s definitely a different dog. He\u2019s a lot more relaxed,\u201d Moser shared. He described how Rex was particularly calm around his wife and enjoyed a gentle companionship with other family pets, including a barn cat with whom he shared a special bond during the colder months.\u201cIt\u2019s not going to be the same without him,\u201d Moser said. \u201cHe has been by my side making sure that I have made it home each night for the past five or so years. He\u2019s been my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Died 6\/7\/24 Handler – Sgt. Thomas Moser Garfield County Sheriff\u2019s Department mourns beloved K9 Officer Rex The Garfield County Sheriff\u2019s Department bid a heartfelt farewell to one of its most cherished members, K9 Officer Rex, who was euthanized on Friday due to complications from bone cancer. Rex, a vital part of the force, was believed …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16198,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[34],"class_list":["post-16193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-k9memorial","tag-co"],"yoast_head":"\n