Late Transit Police K-9 Max memorialized during national ceremony

Four RTD-PD officers attended the service at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. this month

A beloved member of the RTD Transit Police (RTD-PD) force, K-9 Max, was memorialized on Sunday, May 11, during a ceremony held in Washington D.C. Officers Corey Averill and Corporal Joshua Hellweg, who were handlers for RTD-PD K-9 Max, each laid a red rose in tribute to Max’s service and life during the National Police K-9 Memorial Service. RTD-PD officers Sgt. Heidi Hanson and Lt. Kris Stevenson, who worked with Max, also attended the ceremony. Twenty-two K-9s from across the U.S. were recognized for giving their lives in service in 2024 as part of National Police Week.

RTD-PD’s Max was a Labrador Retriever who earned national recognition and awards during his over four years of service with the Transit Police. He was awarded the 2021 National Police Canine Association (NPCA) Detection Case of the Year and NPCA Detection Case of the Quarter that same year. Max was recognized for locating two missing shell casings in under six minutes for a homicide investigation. Max responded to nine bomb threats during his life, helped recover evidence from multiple homicides and was deployed 36 times to assist in high-risk situations.

In honor of K-9s who dedicated their lives to service, Detective Alicia Harris of the Denver Police Department conducted a unity tour bike ride with other officers. Harris dedicated a specific ride to K-9 Max and met Averill and Hellweg at the memorial to share his honorary dog tags.

While Max was known for loving and being serious about his work, Averill said, “He loved his snacks and still enjoyed a dog’s life.”

Learn more about Max’s life, contributions and close bond with his K-9 handler Officer Averill here.