LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler and Seneca Nation President J.C. Seneca Friday announced the deputizing of the county’s newest road patrol canine, Lex.
The sheriff’s office partnered with the Nation in support of a new K-9 unit to patrol the county’s communities. Lex, a 1½-year-old German shepherd, started training with her handler, Deputy Justin Grimm in December.
This past week the K-9 team hit the streets to begin their career patrolling the county. Lex is a dual-purpose patrol dog trained and certified in Narcotics detection, tracking, article searches and suspect apprehension.
The Seneca Nation in October announced the donation of $30,000 to fund a sheriff’s K-9 unit fully.
“It has not gone without notice that the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department has recently made an aggressive effort in combating illegal drug activity on and near our Seneca territories,” said then-Nation President Rickey L. Armstrong Sr. in the press statement.
It was reported then that the sheriff’s office planned to acquire a specially trained police dog and employ a handler to assist with various law enforcement tasks such as narcotics detection, tracking and suspect apprehension. A dedicated deputy would undergo extensive training to become the K-9’s handler, ensuring a strong bond and effective partnership.
Butler and Grimm agreed to name Lex after the former Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher Timothy Lexer, who tragically passed away in July 2024. Grimm said he and Lex are honored to carry on the legacy of such a great man and co-worker.
The sheriff extended the office’s thanks to the Seneca Nation for their generous donation to help fund the new K-9 team, the Forestville Animal Hospital for veterinarian services, Purina for the dog food and an anonymous donor who provided a housing enclosure for K-9 Lex.
“The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office and the Seneca Nation are partnering together with one common goal of taking drugs off our streets and cleaning up our neighborhoods,” Butler said in October. “I’m proud to announce we have partnered with the Nation to add another K-9 drug unit to patrol our streets and the communities we live in and call home.”
