In Memoriam: Honoring the life of RTD police K-9 Max

Max received national recognition and awards in his five years of service with RTD

Max, RTD Transit Police Department (RTD-PD)’s K-9, sadly died May 7 due to an unexpected illness.

Max was devoted in serving on the RTD-PD for five years with his former K-9 officer and permanent caretaker, RTD-PD officer Corey Averill. Max made incredible contributions and achieved national recognition during his time with RTD-PD, being awarded the 2021 National Police K-9 Association (NPCA) Detection Case of the Year as reported here and NPCA Detection Case of the Quarter that same year. Max assisted by remarkably locating two remaining shell casings within six minutes on the scene of a homicide investigation.

Max also received two commendations from former RTD-PD Chief of Police and Emergency Management Bob Grado and a letter of appreciation from the City of Longmont.

K-9s are invaluable partners for RTD and police officers, sweeping stations and patrolling trains and buses to identify dangerous or illicit materials, including homemade to military-grade explosives.

During his service, Max assisted multiple police agencies by responding to nine bomb threats and helping recover evidence from multiple shootings and homicides. Max had 36 deployments to assist with this work, in addition to his daily routine of patrolling stations, buses and rail vehicles.

Max retired from RTD-PD in April. While his retirement was cut short, Averill said that Max enjoyed sunbathing in the backyard and was enjoying his time away from work.

The bond between a K-9 and K-9 officer is incredibly strong because they are working together 40 hours a week in addition to living together full-time.

Averill spoke to the fulfillment in working side-by-side with a K-9: “To see them in action when you go on the trains and buses, it's incredibly rewarding, especially that bond that you get with the dog.”