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(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Law enforcement officers escort retired K-9 Rocky to the Young County Sheriff’s Office to receive his final call before taking him to Faithful Companions Pet Crematory and Pet Cemetery of Strawn. Rocky served alongside his handler Devin Wright with YCSO. -
(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) K-9 Handler Devin Wright and his K-9 partner Rocky are introduced to the Young County Commissioners Court in March 2018. Rocky died Tuesday, Sept. 2 and was given a police escort from a vet in Olney to Strawn. -
(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) K-9 Handlers Devin Wright and Samantha Muncy pose in March 2018 with their K-9 partners, Rocky and Sam, along with members of the Young County Commissioners Court, Sheriff Travis Babcock and Haven Snow, who raised money to help fund the purchase of Rocky.
The Young County Sheriff’s Office gave a final farewell to retired K-9 Rocky who died this week due to age-related illnesses.
YCSO Sheriff Travis Babcock announced that Rocky passed Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the home of his handler Devin Wright.
“He had transitioned to ‘spoiled pet’ living since his retirement and will be missed greatly by his family,” Babcock said. “He earned second place in tracking and third place in patrol with USPCA Region 25 and earned a life-saving award by tracking an individual having a medical crisis during his time of service.”
Arrangements were made for Rocky to be escorted to Faithful Companions Pet Crematory and Pet Cemetery in Strawn. A final service call was made Wednesday, Sept. 3 for Rocky who was escorted by law enforcement from Olney to Strawn, with a stop at YCSO.
“After hearing no response we now know that K-9 Rocky has finished his tour of duty,” the final call said. “Rocky served four outstanding years as a loyal partner and protector with his handler and partner Devin Wright. His sense of duty, loyalty and courage remain unwavering. You brought strength, comfort and protection to our citizens and deputies. Thank you for your service, you may now rest easy.”
The sheriff said to know Rocky was to have stories about his K-9 service.
Rocky was brought on to YCSO in 2018 and received six weeks of training with his handler Devin Wright at Southern State K-9. Rocky was certified in detecting narcotics, searching and biting.
The 2-year-old German Shepherd was purchased with funding from the Young County Republican Women’s organization and a lemonade stand from Haven Snow.
Both Deputy Wright and K-9 Rocky and the other K-9 unit of Deputy Samantha Muncy and K-9 Sam were introduced to the Young County Commissioners Court during their meeting March 26, 2018.
The two K-9s and their handlers helped to fill a gap the department had since 2014 without a K-9 program.
At the time, former Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Sipes emphasized the importance of the K-9 units working to eliminate drugs in the community. That importance was seen early on with Rocky who made a bust on his first day.
“In the first 24 hours when we got back with him, Archer County called and wanted assistance from our dog and we went to the call and he did a positive alert. They found almost two grams of meth, stolen guns and a lot of money,” Babcock said in March 2018. “The first 24 hours he was here, he was already out there working and making a difference.”
Wright has served the Young County area for over 15 years, with most of his career serving as a K-9 handler through Graham Police Department and YCSO. Wright currently works as the Olney ISD School Resource Officer through Olney Police Department.
