MEET

RPD Rufus

Breed of dogLabrador

Location of servitudeBritish Transport Police

Type of serviceSearch & Detection

ConditionKidney failure

Grant amount received£640

Year of birth to year of death2007 – 2024

  • Retired police dog Rufus
  • Retired police dog Rufus by the coast
  • Retired police dog Rufus with his football

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG RUFUS

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What was Rufus like as a police dog?

His Certificate of Service cites him as: “Rufus quickly passed his narcotics course and is considered one of the force’s best detection dogs. He is a tenacious worker.”

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What are some of Rufus’ career highlights?

Rufus served during the London Olympics 2012 and was regularly helping officers on house searches finding stashes of drugs. Rufus found one of the largest hauls of drugs to date for BTP.

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What is your favourite memory with Rufus?

“Getting his Certificate of Service directly from DCC Adrian Hanstock was a highlight. He was given a service at the police station where actress Debbie Arnold gave him his certificate.”

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Tell us an interesting fact about Rufus…

Rufus means ‘red hair’ in Welsh.

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG RUFUS IN RETIREMENT

RPD Rufus served with the British Transport Police as part of the London Underground division, where he worked as a drugs search and detection dog.

He joined in 2007 as a puppy having been born earlier in the year at a rescue centre in Newport, Wales. 

When Labrador cross greyhound Rufus retired in 2013 he was adopted by police officer Martin Wilson, who was friends with his handler. 

Martin said: “I was outside the police station and Rufus ran over to me and started to lick my hands and lean on my legs. We hit it off right away, even though Rufus didn’t really like many people!

“Rufus was blisteringly fast and would leave other dogs for dust! He loved his tennis balls and would do anything for a chase.”

Retired police dog Rufus
Retired police dog Rufus with his toy

Martin described Rufus as a ‘bull in a china shop’ character, who was always barging in and hurting himself, whether it was scratching himself on barbed wire or cutting his paws. 

Martin added: “He had excellent health, however, but in 2019 started to show signs of kidney failure.

“We managed his diet and added special supplements and the Thin Blue Paw was kind enough to help pay for the medications to keep him healthy and stave off the disease.”

The duo retired together to the Shetland Islands and spent every day together.

Sadly, Rufus died in Martin’s arms in February 2024 from kidney failure.  

Retired police dog Rufus with his football

IN MEMORY OF

RPD RUFUS 2007-2024

“Rufus was king of the castle; he was calculated and did things at his own pace and energy. I will always remember him running like a lunatic after a tennis ball. He may have been clumsy, but he was extremely loyal, and my best friend and brother. He was more of a friend to me than anyone I have ever had the luxury of knowing.” – Martin

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