Dexter officer accused in death of police dog, neglect of previous police dog

A Dexter police officer has been terminated in the death of a police dog, and the Stoddard County prosecutor’s office has been asked to way in. Officials allege the officer was also responsible for the neglect of a previous police dog.

Officer Derrick Durall, the K-9 handler for Apollo, was terminated, according to an executive session vote Monday by the Dexter Board of Alderman. The information was included in a press release from the city.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has concluded their investigation and that information has been forwarded on to the prosecutor.

Near the end of February, it was reported by Dexter police that the K-9 officer Apollo had been found dead inside of his kennel one morning.

A press release from Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout noted in the initial press release that the MSHP’s Division of Drug and Crime Control had been asked to conduct an independent investigation. At that time, Durall was suspended from duty.

Following Durall’s termination, Trout released an official statement. Durall had been the K-9 handler for the Dexter Police Department since December 2020; and he had served in that capacity since that time.

“It was discovered that Durall had violated department policies and was responsible for the death of Apollo and the neglect of retired K9 Knox,” Trout said.

Trout recommended to the city administrator and the mayor that Durall’s employment be terminated.

Criminal charges could be pending in the matter, and as a result, Trout said no further information will be released at this time.