Southlake K9 Officers Recognized and Partner “Rex” Inducted into “Animal Hall of Fame”

Former Southlake Police Officer Ron Wyrick and Sgt. Gaylon Music, along with K9 partner “Rex”, received top honors at the Twelfth Annual Veterinary Community Awards Banquet on December 11th. Ron is a Vietnam Veteran who retired from the Police Department and returned to serve in Iraq with Dyncorp and his bomb-sniffing partner “Rex.”

On May 17, 2004, while on patrol, a suicide car bomber exploded a vehicle near their location killing eight soldiers and severely wounding Ron and “Rex.” Both have since recovered but still need continuous medical care.  That’s when Sgt. Music, whose experience with K9’s at Southlake, stepped in for his friend Ron. He unselfishly took over the care and medical needs for his friend’s K9 partner. “Rex” has undergone several major medical procedures including the removal of a large tumor that still contained flecks of metal from the bomb blast. Sgt. Music says, “It’s an honor to take care of “Rex” for Ron who is one of my mentors and a great friend.”

Both Sgt. Music and Ron spoke at the banquet and Ron told the very moving story of what happened that day.  You could hear a pin drop in the room as he said, with his voice choked back by tears, “I told the medics to take care of my dog first. I wanted them to save “Rex.”  The bond between these three friends is unshakable and shows the true meaning of partnership and friendship.