[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 34 (Monday, February 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           FALLEN K-9 OFFICER RONY--HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 26, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the radio blared, a criminal was on 
the loose.
  K-9 Officer Rony and his fellow officers of the Houston Police 
Department (HPD) responded to the call, ready to take down a dastardly 
villain. The crook led the officers on a vehicle pursuit, throwing 
contraband from his car and intentionally ramming an HPD patrol car.
  Suddenly, the criminal bailed out of the stolen vehicle, leaving K-9 
Rony to pursue the criminal on foot, through a heavily wooded area. As 
he chased the suspect at full speed, one of K-9 Rony's legs became 
entangled on a fallen log.
  Despite multiple breaks in his leg, K-9 Rony attempted to continue 
his pursuit. Always a fighter, he was simply in too much pain. His 
handler rushed him to an emergency animal hospital.
  Prior to this accident, K-9 Rony had experienced the pain of 
arthritis in his other three legs from chasing outlaws. Losing a limb 
would have only put him in more suffering. His team made the 
heartbreaking decision. K-9 Rony would be put down.
  K-9 Rony gave his life to the thin blue line, helping chase down and 
apprehend a vile criminal. He was a faithful servant of the Houston 
Police Department and the people of Houston. He served the department 
for seven years and had over 250 captures. Rony was known as one of the 
best K-9 officers the department had, and he will be dearly missed.
  Mr. Speaker, we are eternally grateful for our police officers and 
their furry counterparts in their commitment to keeping our communities 
safe from criminals. K-9 officers like Rony are of the highest caliber, 
and we salute him for his service.
  And that is just the way it is

                          ____________________