K-9 Rex performs all that is asked of him and more
PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2021
On Sunday May 23, 2021, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies were involved in a vehicular pursuit around 6 a.m. The subject (Jeffrey Doran Hill, DOB: 10/15/1964) exited his vehicle near mile marker 77 on Interstate 70, just west of Parachute. He headed toward the Colorado River. Additional resources were called in from the sheriff’s office, as well as the Parachute Police Department and Colorado State Patrol, to establish a perimeter around Mr. Hill.
Corporal Moser and his K-9, Rex, were also called to the scene to assist with the search. The pursuit and subsequent apprehension lasted nearly two hours. Mr. Hill entered into the Colorado River at one point as the officers were closing in. It is unknown if he was planning to swim across the river to avoid capture or simply swim down the river. In any case, Mr. Hill remained in close proximity to the bank. After a time, two of the deputies and Rex came to the location where Mr. Hill was standing in the water.
Rex immediately entered the water in an effort to bring Mr. Hill back to the shore. It was at this point that Mr. Hill struck at Rex more than once with a large knife he was carrying. Rex let out a yelp and was called back to shore for his own safety.
After some verbal encouragement from one of the deputies on scene, Mr. Hill came to shore. He was arrested and escorted to where the EMT’s from Grand River Fire Protection District had staged. After they examined Mr. Hill, he was transported to the Garfield County Jail.
Mr. Hill faces multiple charges, including felony menacing of a police officer, vehicular alluding and cruelty to animals – aggravated, due to his attack on Rex.
Our K-9 units are highly trained teams; they provide protection for law enforcement officers as well as the public. When they are called to the scene, they come unquestioning and without hesitation. Directed by their handlers, K-9s move quickly to assist in a variety of situations.
In Garfield County, our K-9s live with their handlers and the handler’s families. It is not all work and no play. Like people, K-9s need time to relax and decompress after a day’s work. During their down time, they are ready for play. Our K-9s at the sheriff’s office typically retire after 10 years. Their handlers will often opt to keep their 10-year partner as a family pet and companion. We are fortunate at the sheriff’s office to have four K-9 Teams and happy to report that Rex’s injuries were minor. He is back on duty with his handler, Corporal Moser.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Parachute Police Department, Colorado State Patrol and Grand River Fire for their assistance in bringing this incident to a safe and timely conclusion.