NEBRASKA CITY – Matthew Alexander’s family members gathered at Nebraska City Monday, where Sgt. Chris Richardson introduced the police department’s new K9 and fought back emotions as he described an unlikely connection with a true American hero.

When Sgt. Richardson announced the retirement of the current K9 Mack, he said he wanted to name a new dog something special, a name that would honor someone. He developed a list of people he would like to honor, but no names stood out to him.

He left for the kennel in Pennsylvania in a rush because he was told that the dogs reared in Europe were available “now,” so he didn’t settle on a name.

The Czech Republic-born Alex had a reputation for being aggressive and difficult to handle. He was the first dog the kennel showed to Sgt. Richardson.

Richardson: “It seemed like he was looking at me. I mean, he was growling, drooling and barking, but somehow I thought there’s a connection there.”

Alex performed spectacularly in skills tests, but the handlers seemed hesitant to hand over the leash to Richardson because of the dog’s demeanor.

Richardson kneeled beside Alex and he gave him a great lick on the face and leaned in for an embrace.

Richardson: “I think he was aggressive because he didn’t’ have a home. Once he saw me with the leash, he knew he had a home. I feel that he picked me as much as I picked him.”

On the way back to Nebraska, he called his wife about the dog and she reminded him that he was supposed to give the dog a name. Richardson said the name given to him in Europe was Alex.

Richardson: “That name wasn’t on my list. You know, I was thinking of a cool dog name like Spike or something. But when we me I couldn’t get the name Alex out of my brain. I don’t know why.”

Looking over his list of people to honor he noticed Matthew L. Alexander, an infantryman who was killed in action in Iraq along with six others when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.

While traveling he searched for a phone number for his family, but there no connection. Perhaps his investigative skill came into play because he learned that Mel and Monica Alexander had renamed their geothermal company for Matthew.

He called the company and Monica answered.

Richardson explained that he wanted to honor someone by naming the dog. It was then he learned that Matthew had always gone by the name of Alex and that’s what his buddies in the Army called him.

Richardson said he would honor Alex no matter what, but he would publicly honor him with the new K9 if the whole family agreed. It just happened that the family was gathering and would let him know soon.

Richardson: “I wanted to honor a true American hero. And this was close to me, because of my 31 years in the military, because of my term in Iraq. I was stationed in Baghdad and this happened north of Baghdad.”

After hearing from the family, Richardson was fulfilling his duties with the Nebraska National Guard near Elkhorn when he decided to look online for the burial site of Cpl. Matthew L. Alexander. It turns out, it was just a five-minute drive from his hotel.

Richardson: “It was emotional for me to visit his grave. It was personal because not everyone in my unit came home. It was tough for me from that aspect. It was a healing moment for me, and I hope – I know it’s just a dog – but I hope in some way honoring Matthew with the K9 Alex will be healing for his family.”

Six days passed from when Alex left the Czech Republic to the time Richardson took the leash for a dog with the reputation of being menacing and it within a drive back to Nebraska that his name of Alex was full of meaning.

Richardson: “There was more in play here than just coincidence.”