Law enforcement gives Sagadahoc Sheriff’s K-9 Brix a final salute

*Cpl. Ian Alexander, his family* and Brix, a retired K-9 from Sagadahoc County, is saluted by law enforcement as they walk into the vet’s office Friday morning. Brix was put to sleep after worsening health complications. (Hannah LaClaire / The Times Record)

BRUNSWICK — Retired Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s K-9 Brix wanted to work right until the very end. When the sirens turned on for his official escort on Friday morning, Brix started barking, ready for whatever was next, Cpl. Ian Alexander said.

Brix was greeted by more than two dozen officers representing a dozen police departments as Alexander and his family bid an emotional goodbye at Bath Brunswick Veterinary Associates.

*Cpl. Ian Alexander and Brix when Brix Retired from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office in March.*

The 84-pound German shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 2012, certified for tracking and drug detection. He clocked in an estimated 16,000 patrol hours over his six years on the force but retired early in March after veterinarians removed an area of melanoma from his lip and his arthritis worsened.

Over the years, Brix and Alexander would often be sent out in the middle of the night to track suspects. Once, they tracked a home invasion suspect across the New Meadows River from West Bath to east Brunswick.

He helped find people in possible danger, including a 17-year-old boy who went missing from his campsite in 2014.

Brix also often went into schools for demonstrations and career days.

In his retirement, Brix enjoyed a few extra treats and would often wait at the door for Alexander to come home from work.

“I’m going to miss that,” he said. “His heart was in the right place. He was a loyal partner, friend and pet to the boys.”

Brix started getting sicker. Alexander said that after a difficult Thursday night, which he spent a portion of sleeping on the floor alongside Brix, they knew it was time.

“He was full of kisses today though,” he said.

After years of service, officers from all over marked Brix’s end of watch with a formal salute, a flag hung overhead by the Bath fire department.

“It was a great send-off,” Alexander said, “I didn’t expect so many people.”

Alexander was a K-9 handler for over 14 years, serving first with Rocko, the department’s first dog, who retired in 2012. He died in 2015.

“He can run around with Rocko now,” Alexander said. “He was a good boy.”

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