GoFundMe Made In Memory Of K-9 Killed By Suspected Drunken Driver

DETROIT, MI — The greater Detroit community is in mourning after the death of a beloved Michigan State Police K-9 police officer. K-9 Rex died while on duty Sunday morning as his handler was helping close Route 10 near Linwood Street due to flooding.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up to create a memorial for Rex at the Michigan State Police Metro South post where he worked, and a marker in his memory was placed at the site of the crash that killed him. As of noon Monday, more than $4,500 of a $6,000 goal had already been raised.

“Rex was known for his determination in searching for suspects and articles,” the Michigan State Police wrote on Twitter. “He was a tremendous partner to his handler and was an asset to the post.”

Police said they believe the crashed was caused by a drunken driver whose speeding vehicle went into Rex's handler’s SUV while it was across all lanes of traffic a little after 1 a.m., according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. The road the SUV was on had been closed for hours, police said.

The male driver of the car and a female passenger have serious injuries, while another woman in the car was hospitalized in critical condition, state police said in a tweet.

Their car was in flames after the crash, police added.

Rex’s handler was also injured in the crash, but is expected to recover, police said. Rex was first taken to the hospital with serious injuries and shortly after died at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Southfield, police said.

The GoFundMe effort garnered 81 donations within a day, including from two people who donated $200 apiece. Any money raised over $6,000 is to be donated in Rex’s name to animal shelters and rescue organizations in metro Detroit.

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