K9 Lux – Sault Tribe Police, Michigan

Died – 6/20/18
Handler – Officer Ryan Lubben

Michigan community mourning unexpected loss of beloved K-9, Lux

Robert Marchand often said K-9 Lux was the best member of his police department to work with. “He never called in sick. He never complained about long hours and he didn’t care if it was raining or snowing,” the Sault Tribe Chief of Police said just hours after the beloved pup’s unexpected passing. And while the Sault Ste. Marie chief’s lounge-in-cheek comments aren’t meant to be taken literally, there is little doubt that Lux, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, left a significant impact on the department he worked for and the community he served. Lux died on the operating table on Wednesday, June 20, shortly after he a mass-covered kidney was removed from his body. His unexpected death is a huge loss for everyone who knew him, particularly for the department’s K-9 handler Ryan Lubben who he worked and lived side-by-side with for seven years. Lux’s loss is two-fold. He was an integral part of the team within the department, especially in finding missing people or sniffing out drugs in the community and at the Canadian border, but also for interacting with the community during public events and demonstrations. Requests for Lux poured in daily, Marchand said. “It’s very unexpected and devastating,” he added. “He was probably the best community policing tool we had for getting through to kids and having positive contact.” Messages of love and support for Lux and the Sault Tribe Police have poured in since his passing was announced on Facebook. Marchand said he would like to explore the possibility of getting another K-9 down the road, but right now they are focusing on honoring Lux and everything he did for the community. He may be gone now, but memories of the faithful pup live on with many. “He had that playful demeanor,” Marchand said. “When the dog comes into the office, he lightens the mood of everyone around. Lux brought energy into the department. He had such a pleasant disposition and he wasn’t mean or aggressive. He was everything you want in a police dog.” R.I.P. Lux. Your watch is ended.

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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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