K9 Police Partner Rookie Tribute Display, Jan 2023

by Joaquin Guerrero

I received some exciting news from The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History. I just want to say thank you so much for honoring my K-9 Partner Rookie on this special day of "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" with such a amazing museum display.

We're coming up on 20yrs since his passing. He and his brother helped reinstate the Saginaw K-9 program. He was also know for going into the schools helping young elementary children say no to gangs, guns, drugs and violence. This program not only touched our children in our community but children across the United States. They even created a Puppet and Robot in the likeness of him by the puppet creator of McGruff. And, Rookie also served at Ground Zero when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11.

Please stop by The Castle Museum and see this beautiful display they did. If you would like to know more about K-9 Rookie you can read his book "Michigan and Rookie Guardians of the Night."

About "Michigan and Rookie Guardians of the Night:" In Saginaw, Michigan a city plagued with gang violence Officer Joaquin Guerrero sensed God's call to work the dangerous night streets with his K9 partner, a ninety-pound German shepherd police dog named Rookie. On 9/11, Guerrero and Rookie responded to Ground Zero to help in the search efforts. For seven long days the pair worked "The Pile" with a never-give-up spirit. With Rookie as his mascot, Guerrero created Precinct 131, an educational program to keep kids from turning to gangs. Michigan and is a remarkable story of service to community and country.