A Tribute To West Hartford's Police Dog, Axel

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The following letter was written to the West Hartford Police Department abut the recent passing of police dog Axel and shared with Patch:

To Officer Nick Roman (Axel's Handler) Chief Vernon Riddick, Captain Michael Perruccio Administrative Services Commander and Public Information Officer Mayor Shari Cantor Local and City and Town Dignitaries of West Hartford Connecticut:

We say Farewell to K-9 Axel of the West Hartford Police Department K-9 Unit. K-9 Axel was the handler of Officer Nick Roman. K-9 Axel died on April 27,2021 because of a untreatable heart condition. As a future firefighter and first responder I care especially about the Police and how I respect law enforcement and how I respect the badge and respect the rank and file of every police officer in the State of Connecticut and in the city of Middletown Connecticut.

I say the following:

My deepest upmost profound condolences and profound sympathies are with the family of Officer Nick Roman and the entire West Hartford Police Department family. I also extend my deepest upmost profound condolences and profound sympathies to Chief Vernon Riddick and the entire West Hartford Police Department community. K-9 Axel takes the place of a Police Officer. I feel that K-9 Axel served the West Hartford Police Department well and in early January K-9 Axel retired from the West Hartford Police Department and law enforcement. Today and every day I will honor the life and legacy of K-9 Axel and honor his handler Officer Nick Roman for his dedication and service to the people of the city of West Hartford Connecticut and the West Hartford Police Department. K-9 Axel will continue to be a part of the law enforcement family with the West Hartford Police Department.

And that will never ever change. We will remember the sacrifice of K-9 Axel and his handler Officer Nick Roman who decided that it was in the best interest to put his K-9 partner Axel to sleep.

But his memory will be forever remembered and honored and recognized for his dedication to the West Hartford Police Department and law enforcement officers everywhere. Join me in honoring and recognizing the service done by K-9 Axel and his handler Officer Nick Roman of the West Hartford Police Department. K-9 Axel was a hero dog and at numerous occasions and numerous calls for service he backed up his partner and his handler and his friend a Officer Nick Roman.

Officer Nick Roman, I am so sorry about the passing of K-9 Axel you have my deepest upmost profound condolences and profound sympathies throughout this difficult time for you and your family and for the West Hartford Police Department and the city and community of West Hartford Connecticut.

So send your deepest thoughts and prayers to the family of K-9 Axel and the family of the West Hartford Police Department and to the family of his handler Officer Nick Roman and to Chief Vernon Riddick and to Captain Michael Perruccio And to Mayor Shari Cantor Axels legacy and his life and his years of service to the people of the city of West Hartford Connecticut and to his years of dedication and service to the West Hartford Police Department. Will be forever remembered here for years to come.

Billy Prevatte

Middletown