KNOWING THAT your partner has your back is a matter of life or death. With two legs or four, the bond is one of trust and faith. Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) K-9 Officer Andy Rodriguez and his partner, K-9 Rhev, are a team, both on and off the clock.
Together, they work patrol just like any other officer, plus they’re present to provide canine support to any officer and department that needs it. Their duties include searching for illegal narcotics in traffic patrol, wanted subjects, and stolen property. Whether a lost person or a criminal, their goal is to find them.
A full-time officer with the FPD for almost 19 years, Rodriguez began his career as a patrol officer and worked his way up to shift lieutenant. But when the opportunity came up to work in the K-9 division, he knew what he wanted to do.
“I always wanted to work with the dogs. I saw that opportunity, so I took a step back from leadership and came back to the road to work a dog,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez’s first canine partner was K-9 Nate. The Madison County, Alabama, Sheriff ’s Department had retired Nate but donated him to the FPD, believing he would be a good fit. Madison County has been the backbone of the FPD canine division, donating its time and resources to help train and maintain the department, its handlers, and its dogs. “Madison County just kind of took our department under its wing, and we can’t express the gratitude we owe that department,” Rodriguez said.
Nate retired after two years with the department, and Rodriguez was paired with his current canine partner, K-9 Rhev. Rhev is the first in the K-9 department to be certified nationally.
Rodriguez said, “It’s a team. Neither one of us can do what the other one can do. We train the dogs to do jobs that we won’t ask an officer to do or an officer can’t do. They live to work and please the handler. If that truck cranks, he wants to be with me in that truck and go to work. That’s his happy spot.”
LEAVING ISN’T EASY ON AN OFFICER’ S FAMILY.
“Without a family support system, no officer can stay in this job because of the stress that is pulling on you day in and day out. They know you might not come back when you leave home, so it’s very tough on the families,” he said.
“Public Relations events are fun for the handlers and the dogs. We love the chance to talk about what they do and how they serve. These animals are phenomenal—the things they do and the services they provide. We’re fortunate that our department is very supportive of our canine teams and services, not just in our local community but others. I’m blessed to work here. The officers really care about the issues our community faces, and we are doing all we can to solve those.” GN
