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K-9 receives military honors during euthanasia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tristin English
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  After receiving military honors, Military Working Dog Brix was laid to rest at the Scott Air Force Base veterinary clinic July 18. The retired K-9 suffered from debilitating hip pain.

"I adopted Brix on Oct. 12, 2011," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Drew Risley, Master at Arms. "Brix was assigned to me in February of 2011 as my first military working dog, so naturally he meant the most to me. Brix taught me how to be a good handler. I worked with him for a short time before he retired and I decided to bring him home to become part of my family. In return, he watched over them for me."

Brix, a German Shepherd, graduated as a patrol explosive detection dog in November 2003. After graduation, Brix served four Navy dog handlers. During his nine-year military career, Brix protected his handlers, the president, vice president and other high-ranking officials, and deployed to Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Iraq.

"While he and I were deployed to Iraq, we were awarded a Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medal and a Marine Commendation Medal," said Navy Petty Officer First Class Christopher Ortiz, Master at Arms. "Brix earned the medal for safely protecting 110 tenant commands."

Upon return in 2011 Brix was retired after serving nine years of honorable service. He continued to serve as a protector of the Risley home until his health took a turn for the worse this year when he started having hip problems. The hip problems caused him to have trouble walking and put him in pain.

During the ceremony, two Navy officials rendered a salute to Brix as he made his way into the veterinarian's office. After medical personnel administered the solution to put the dog to sleep, two Air Force security forces members laid the flag over Brix before he was carried out by his family. Members of the 375th Security Forces Squadron with their K-9s gave a salute as he passed by and then two additional SF members folded the flag and presented it to his handler Risley.

Staff. Sgt. Robert Bowman, 375th Security Forces MWD handler, said "Military Working Dogs are our partners. From day one ... the dog gets to know you, and you become 'the dad.' After that happens, the dog will do anything for you to protect you and save your life one day. It's a very tough bond to break and I can tell you from my experience, it was very emotional for Drew to part from his MWD."