Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler along with the Seneca Nation of Indians President J.C. Seneca announce the deputizing of our newest road patrol canine, Lex. In December 2024 the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Seneca Nation in support of a new K-9 unit to patrol our communities. Lex a 1 ½ year old German Shepard, started training with her handler, Deputy Justin Grimm in December 2024. 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. Sheriff Butler and Deputy Grimm agreed to name Lex after our former Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher Timothy Lexer who tragically passed away in July of 2024. Deputy Grimm and K-9 Lex are honored to carry on the legacy of such a great man and co-worker. The Sheriff would like to thank the Seneca Nation of Indians 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.