Full Notification

All,

I am sorry to report that Retired Police Service Dog “K9 Rambo” was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic with an apparent stroke and was diagnosed with significant medical issues that would clearly affect his immediate and long term quality of life. These conditions resulted in his euthanasia 5/19/2018.

K9 Rambo served the department as part of a team with Officer Dustin Bragg. K9 Rambo was a significant contributor to our efforts to provide a safer community to the citizens of Red Oak and the other communities that requested K9 assistance. Rambo developed a reputation as fearless in the completion of his duties and he worked hard to please his partner everyday.

Rambo was responsible for numerous apprehension of fleeing felons, narcotic traffickers and dangerous suspects while serving the Red Oak Police Department. His deployments made a difference in the quality of life for the people we serve everyday.

Officer Bragg, we feel your loss and you have mine and the department’s deepest sympathies. Having been a former K9 handler for many years; I can tell you that no one can fully comprehend the relationship and the bond that comes with accepting the challenge and the responsibility of being a K9 Team, unless they do it. The relationship is not a mere novelty but a heartfelt bonding of a team at its most instinctual level. By agreeing to be part of that symbiotic relationship, the pairing up of two separate entities to mutually benefit the other, you also agreed to the inevitable heartache of losing a partner. A partner who is a 24/7/365 partner. A partner you spend everyday with and if being truthful; you spend more time with than your wife, your children and your other brother and sister officers. Your willingness to continue to care for Rambo after his retirement speaks to your love for your partner. No one will understand the relationship that exists while on patrol with your K9 partner. No one will understand the trust you put in an animal and the work and the dedication to forging a team.

No one will understand what goes on in the K9 car. The one sided conversations that take place between the handler and K9 partner. They always listen and rarely talk back... the perfect partner. You always knew it had been a long shift when the K9 started answering and providing insightful wisdom for you to contemplate. No one will understand the constant dog breath breathing through the cage in your ear. The inevitable spit and slobber that at times seems like it is on purpose just to ruin your freshly pressed uniform. Always smelling like dog. Resolving yourself to the fact you will never know what a new car smells like as long as you work a dog. I often wondered if they were laughing inside. The low growl that made the hair on the back of your neck and your partner’s stand up, when someone walks up on your car that you didn’t see that ultimately warns you they are there. The playful paw to the back of your head through the cage because he wants to play or he is ready to go take a break. The ear rub you give to him just to show you care when he puts his head on your shoulder, through the open partition between the seats, as you roll a 12 hour shift. No one will understand totally those special moments when you hook your K9 partner up with a Whataburger double meat with cheese. You hooked him up because you lost a bet with him because you bet him he couldn’t do a suspect track with a catch over an impossible distance or that he would hit a good load of dope meant for the streets of Red Oak. No one really understands that relationship until they do it 24/7/365.

Remember as you grieve your partner, that Rambo enjoyed a successful career as a Red Oak Police Service Dog and he was enjoying his retirement. He earned a long rest and he will be missed. Remember the tail wags and the ear rubs. The excitement of him seeing you put on your uniform because that meant he gets to go to work. Those are the good times.

Thankfully, K9 Lintz was paired with you just a few short months after his retirement and we look forward to many more years of service from her. While it doesn’t replace him, she carries on the legacy of Red Oak K9.

As authorized and recognized by state statute, K9 Rambo is considered a Police Officer. Therefore, in honor of his service to the officers and citizens of Red Oak, TX, upon return of the cremated remains of K9 Rambo, we will set a date to have a private in-house ceremony for Officer Rambo PSD, Red Oak Police Department Retired. Of course, your K9 training group will be provided the opportunity to attend with their partners to pay their respects.

Officer Bragg, you have my deepest sympathies and my condolences for the loss of your partner, your faithful friend and protector.

Respectfully,

Garland Wolf
Chief of Police
Red Oak, TX

Link to tribute video: https://youtu.be/1l3jyZBG30s