Rex’s paw on Jeff Sosebee’s shoulder could brighten any day going in to work.

“Some say he’s just a dog, but all these people looked in his eyes and saw something different. It’s hard to explain, this animal,” said Sosebee, who served as Rex’s handler and partner. “He was my 32nd dog and the most amazing dog I’ve ever worked with.”

Law enforcement from Hall and Habersham counties gathered Tuesday afternoon to pay respects to Rex, who was put to sleep last month after a cancer diagnosis.

Bagpipes echoed through the Hall County Government Center in Gainesville for the beloved dog who worked across North Georgia.

Rex participated in 206 captures in his law enforcement career, working also in tracking, evidence recovery and searches.

“The bond that is established between a K-9 and a handler goes beyond that working relationship,” Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said. “They become a member of a family, and that’s exactly what Rex was.”

The K-9 officer would eventually work in Habersham County for the later part of his career.

“If a bad guy came running in here, he’d avoid all the people and he’d go get the bad guy. That was Rex. He was that smart,” Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell.

James Moby Carney, known as “Moby in the Morning” on the radio, considered Rex to be the “most impressive police dog” he had met.

“I believe I’ll see my granddaddy again. I believe I’ll see my mama and daddy again. And I believe you’ll get to play with Rex some more,” Carney said.

Sosebee said Lance Animal Hospital had been caring for Rex before he was put to sleep in late October.

Terrell remarked about the impressive turnout among fire departments, sheriff’s offices and other law enforcement who cared for Rex.

“It was friendships and bonds that were brought together that we as men and women couldn’t forge ourselves, and it’s lasting friendships to honor that memory of that dog,” Terrell said.