Dover considering K-9 officer memorial; Veterans’ monument delayed
DOVER (WJER) (May 5, 2022) – After the city’s success in raising money for a new veterans monument, officials are contemplating another statue or marker, this time to honor the city’s police dogs.
K-9 Rex died earlier this year after health issues forced his retirement. He was replaced by Red.
Rex was the Dover Police Department’s first K-9 officer when the program was revived in 2014.
Dover Councilwoman Sandy Moss is looking into how much it would cost for a statue or marker to honor Rex and the police dogs that come after him.
“I was kind of thinking I wanted to do something more than just a resolution,” she said.
Council members suggested Moss ask the community for donations, similar to how Councilman Greg Bair headed the fundraising effort for a new veterans’ monument.
The initial goal was around $20,000, but Bair says donors ended up contributing more than $62,000.
“I never thought is was going to turn out like this,” Bair said. “The Dover community is just amazing. When the need is there, they come through.”
The veterans’ monument will be at the northwest corner of Wooster and Third.
There’s enough money to add benches, lighting, a flagpole, and landscaping features.
However, production issues have delayed the monument’s dedication, originally scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.
Officials say a dedication should take place later this year. It could happen in late summer, or they may wait until Veterans Day in November.
“I will guarantee this: It will be a real tribute to our veterans, both living and dead,” Bair said. “I’m excited that we can honor our Dover veterans.”