Polk County Sheriff's Office K9 Officer Rex dies

The seven-year-old Belgian Malanois/German Shepherd mix had served the county for seven years.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Polk County, Minnesota Sheriff's Office has announced that their canine officer, Rex, passed away on Sunday. The seven-year-old Belgian Malanois/German Shepherd mix had recently become very ill, was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, and was in kidney failure. The Sheriff's Office made the difficult decision to euthanize Rex.

Why it matters

K9 officers play a crucial role in law enforcement, assisting with tasks like tracking, search and rescue, and narcotics detection. The loss of a K9 officer can be deeply felt by the department and the community they serve.

The details

Rex had served the county with his handler, Sergeant Ben Stout, for seven years before his passing. The Sheriff's Office made the difficult decision to put Rex down after he became very ill and was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and kidney failure.

  • Rex died on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Polk County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency responsible for Rex, the K9 officer who passed away.

Rex

A seven-year-old Belgian Malanois/German Shepherd mix K9 officer who served the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Sergeant Ben Stout

The handler of K9 officer Rex.

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The takeaway

The loss of K9 officer Rex is a difficult one for the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the community they serve. K9 officers play a vital role in law enforcement, and their passing is deeply felt. This incident highlights the important work these canine partners do and the risks they face in the line of duty.