K9 Rex – Florence, Alabama

Handler – Officer Zach Maxwell

Retired Florence police K-9 Rex dies at 13

It is with a heavy heart that the Florence Police Department announces the passing of Retired Police K9 Rex. K9 Rex served the Florence Community alongside his partner Officer Zach Maxwell from September 2010 to December 2016. During his more than six years of service, K9 Rex was instrumental in recovering hundreds of pounds of narcotics, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in asset forfeitures stemming from drug related crimes. K9 Rex was a loyal partner who enjoyed his time at work and protected Officer Maxwell and the citizens of Florence with pride. K9 Rex put his life on the line to save Officer Maxwell during a deployment in 2014. Officer Maxwell was assaulted to the point of near unconsciousness during a traffic stop. During the confrontation, K9 Rex was deployed from Officer Maxwell’s vehicle. K9 Rex apprehended and held the offender until other officers could arrive to assist. This and many other examples show what a great asset and loyal officer K9 Rex was for the Florence Police Department. K9 Rex was a member of the United States Police Canine Association. He certified and competed annually earning above average accolades during his service. In addition to his excellent work on the street, K9 Rex was recognized as the USPCA Region 22 “Top Dog” in back to back years of 2011 and 2012. Upon his retirement in 2016, K9 Rex spent the remainder of his time on earth with Officer Maxwell and family. K9 Rex crossed over the Rainbow Bridge at the age of thirteen, on the morning of March 28, 2022. K9 Rex, thank you for your service.

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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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