K-9 Max was single purpose narcotics detection canine serving the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Bureau. On August 25, 2011 he died serving in the line of duty. K-9 Max was deployed for a vehicle search at the site of a search warrant and died from accidental ingestion of liquid methamphetamine that was found at the scene. Despite emergency first aid on scene, getting to the veterinary emergency room still able to walk, and valiant efforts by members of the VCA Animal Hospital in Cerritos CA, Max succumbed to the illicit drug.
K-9 Max died doing what he loved to do, "SUCH" (Find dope).
While K-9 Max had only served with LA Sheriff’s Department since December of 2010, he had an enormous impact on his department. Max was the first Canine trained in the "Focus" method of detection through a joint effort between the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department. K-9 Max and his handler Brian McBride completed over 800 hours of training together and completed over 275 searches. He located an impressive amount of illegal drugs - including approximately a kilo of heroin, over 160 kilos of Cocaine, 16.5 kilos of Methamphetamine, 495 kilos of Marijuana, had a positive alert to well over one million dollars and cleared over $250,000.00 in U.S. currency. While he was an intense and dedicated K-9 at work, Max was used in numerous public demonstrations and he loved to greet the community kids and have them pet him.
Max was born on May 5th, 2009 in Mexico City and came to join the L.A. Sheriff’s Department through Gold Coast K9 in Ventura Ca. K-9 Max and his handler hit it off from the beginning and a bond was immediately formed. Deputy McBride said “It was as such an honor to have been Max's partner, I just wish I'd had time to earn the loyalty he so freely gave me.”
His final wish for K-9 Max is that he "RESTE" my friend "RESTE', you have earned your rest.”
