NEBRASKA CITY – Matthew Alexander’s parents 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.

Matthew L. Alexander was a 21-year-old infantryman in 2007 when the detonation of an improvised explosive device killed him, five other soldiers and a journalist near Baghdad.

His name was on a list Richardson compiled of people he would like to honor by choosing their name for the police dog, but he left for a kennel in Virginia without making a decision and actually never did.

The first dog he was shown was named in the Czech Republic as Alex.

Richardson: “He was Alex on his passport, so he came here named Alex.

 

"He came through the door and our eyes met – almost love at first sight – he just outperformed far above and beyond all the other dogs I looked at. “

Alex had a reputation with the kennel handlers for aggression and Richardson said he was growling, drooling and barking before they handed him the leash.

 

Richardson: “I thought well here is my first bite out of the way. I went up, I grabbed the leash and he nestled right up to me. I leaned down and he licked me upside the face, so Alex picked me as much as I picked him.”

Matthew L. Alexander had returned home before his deployment to Iraq and proposed to his wife Kara. They were married two weeks later because Matthew thought it was important.

"There is no tougher name"

Richardson

 

While driving home Richardson noticed the last name Alexander on his list. After several failed phone calls, he finally tried a geothermal business that had been named after the fallen soldier and his mother, Monica answered.

They both describe the moment as dramatic when Monica asked what the dog’s name was.

Alex was the name Matthew’s military buddies had called him.

 

Mathew’s father, Mel, spoke at the city council meeting about his son just doing his duty as many Americans have done. He said they all pay a price, and Matthew paid the full price.

 The Murray couple said it seems having the police dog in honor of their son was meant to be and agreed with Richardson’s comment that there was more than just coincidence at work.

Mel: “We don’t know that or why God would want that, but we’re thankful that he does. And we’re thankful that our people and dogs stand up and protect us. If God honors us with that we’re happy. The name, how it all worked out, just seems divinely appointed.”

Richardson said Alex is a fitting name.

Richardson: “I had gone down to the chamber of commerce and I was talking with the ladies down there and we had made a comment about I was wanting a tough name for a dog and I just didn’t think Alex was it and so the ladies had looked it up. Alex means defender of human kind, so there’s no tougher name than Alex.”

Monica Alexander said the K9 is also fitting for her son.

Monica: “We didn’t have a dog, but he dog sat in the neighborhood when people would go on vacation and he had a paper route when he was young and, if somebody couldn’t find their paper or missed their paper, I would say so-and-so needs their paper. He didn’t know the owner’s name, but he knew the dog’s names.”

Richardson said it has been a healing experience for him because not everyone from his unit came home from Iraq and he hopes the K9 Alex will be healing for Cpl. Alexander’s family as well.