11/18/2025
The Westmoreland County Park Police is heartbroken to share the passing of K-9 Rex (Retired), a 14-year-old Belgian Malinois and our department’s first K-9 officer, serving from 2012-2021.
After retirement, K-9 Rex continued to live with his handler, Officer Meyers, his wife and two kids. Over the course of Rex’s retirement, he developed arthritis and muscle deterioration in his hips, which was being treated. On November 17, 2025, K-9 Rex suddenly and rapidly took a turn for the worse. Officer Meyers transported K-9 Rex to the vet for evaluation. It was determined that K-9 Rex had a brain tumor, which took away his ability to move or walk.
K-9 Rex was a dual-purpose police dog trained in Explosive detection, firearm detection, tracking and apprehension.
In addition to helping keep Westmoreland County safe, Officer Meyers and K-9 Rex were part of PA Region 13 Counter Terrorism Task Force, which led them on calls for assistance throughout Western PA. Ex: Bomb threats, dignitary sweeps, locating discarded fi****ms used in a crime, tracking suspects and criminal apprehensions. K-9 Rex had an outstanding career with the recovery of 10 fi****ms, 24 criminal apprehensions, and hundreds of explosive detection searches in Westmoreland County and throughout Western PA.
Please keep Officer Meyers, his wife, two kids and our department in your thoughts.
