Died 6\/29\/15
\nHandler Sgt. Dennis Dixon<\/p>\n
Heidelberg police dog dies after bout with cancer<\/p>\n
Heidelberg has lost one of its finest. Rocky, the borough\u2019s 8-year-old police dog, was euthanized June 29 after being diagnosed in May with an aggressive form of cancer. His handler, Sgt. Dennis Dixon, 46, said he knew the dog\u2019s health was deteriorating because his expression had changed. Rocky lived with the Dixon family. \u201cHe was a happy dog. His eyes were sparkly and bright and he was excited about adventures,\u201d Sgt. Dixon said. \u201cThe day he died, he just didn\u2019t have that sparkle.\u201d The K-9 died in Sgt. Dixon\u2019s arms with his wife and three children by his side. \u201d\u201cHe had a family who loved him unconditionally and he loved us back,\u201d\u00a0Sgt. Dixon said. After he came to Heidelberg in May 2008, borough residents adopted Rocky and looked for him at events and on patrol. However, his police dog expertise was also utilized throughout Allegheny County as part of a mutual aid agreement. One of the incidents that many may recollect was a 2012 murder in East Carnegie that involved reaction from several local police departments. Picking up the escapee\u2019s scent, Rocky was able to overtake and stop him. \u201cHe was chasing the robber through Carnegie and he ripped the guy\u2019s pants off,\u201d Heidelberg Police Chief Vernon Barkley remembers.\u00a0The fleeing man was convicted and imprisoned. Other problems, such as street fights, were handled differently by the canine cop. \u201cI\u2019d roll my windows down and he\u2019d bark and [the fighters] would stop,\u201d Sgt. Dixon said. Though he was protective, Sgt. Dixon said Rocky was not a house dog. \u201cHe always wanted to be riding with me in the back of the police car. He was remarkable. He was caring and loving. He had police work down to a science. I trusted him with my life,\u201d the sergeant said. \u201cI knew that he would always protect me,\u201d Sgt. Dixon said. Rocky\u2019s remains were cremated and will be part of a public memorial service to be held at 10 a.m. July 24 in the Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department on First Street.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Died 6\/29\/15 Handler Sgt. Dennis Dixon Heidelberg police dog dies after bout with cancer Heidelberg has lost one of its finest. Rocky, the borough\u2019s 8-year-old police dog, was euthanized June 29 after being diagnosed in May with an aggressive form of cancer. His handler, Sgt. Dennis Dixon, 46, said he knew the dog\u2019s health was …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":171,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-k9memorial","tag-pa"],"yoast_head":"\n