O'Fallon lost one of its loyal furry heroes last week. 

K-9 Rex was a nationally recongized police dog with the O'Fallon Police Department for eight years, until his retirement in 2009. He lived out his remaining years with his partner O'Fallon Officer Keith Lewis. 

From the O'Fallon Police Department Facebook:

"We regret to announce that retired K-9 Rex passed away last week. K-9 Rex served his handler Officer Keith Lewis and this department well for the better part of eight years until his retirement in 2009. Rex was a decorated and valuable member of this department, and in the last few years a special part of Officer Lewis’ family."

O'Fallon Police Officer Tom Thompson is also a K-9 handler who worked alongside Rex and Lewis. 

"PO Lewis and K-9 Rex were both top notch officers," he told O'Fallon Patch. "Rex placed nationally several times, as well as being ranked top dog for Missouri and Illinois several times."

A procession was held for Rex on Monday, Nov. 5, from VCA All Creatures Animal Hospital in O'Fallon, to the East West Police K9 Training Grounds in Sauget, IL., where Rex was laid to rest alongside several other police dogs from the Missouri and Illinois area.