CAVE CITY, Ky. — For Cave City Police Chief Paul Reynolds, the loss of his K9 partner, Jax, meant more than saying goodbye to a fellow officer. It meant losing a member of his family.

The German Shepherd, who died in August, served alongside Reynolds from 2017 until his retirement in 2025, assisting police with drug detection, tracking, apprehension and other duties.

Throughout those years, Jax was not only a trusted partner on the job but also a beloved presence in Reynolds’ family life.

“He could turn it off and on,” Reynolds recalled. “We could let him loose, and he’d play with the kids.”

Reynolds served as Jax’s handler throughout his career in Barren County, which included time with the Barren River Drug Task Force and the Cave City Police Department.

In 2025, at age 12, Jax retired and went home to live with Reynolds and his family.

“He retired when he was running full force,” Reynolds said.

But not long before his retirement, Jax was struck by a car after getting out of his kennel. His recovery required weeks of care from Reynolds, who helped the dog through the difficult days that followed.

“For a month, I carried him outside to use the bathroom,” Reynolds said. “He finally bounced back, but I had to get some steps to get him in the cruiser.”

As time passed, Reynolds knew it was time for Jax to leave his working days behind.

“He lived the pampered life. He was a hard worker,” Reynolds said. “He went to the vet if he got the sniffles.”

After recovering from the crash, Jax developed cancer in the area affected by the injury. Reynolds said his veterinary care team initially believed his symptoms were related to arthritis from the accident, but further evaluation revealed a more serious condition.

In retirement, Jax spent his final months at home, surrounded by the family he had become part of over the years. Photographs captured him at family holidays, enjoying his favorite turkey and spending time with those closest to him.

At 13, Jax had lived a long life for a German Shepherd. But as his condition worsened, Reynolds and his family faced the difficult decision to let him go.

For Reynolds, the loss marked the end of a partnership that had spanned years of police work and a bond that continued long after Jax left the force.

Jax had spent much of his life serving the community alongside Reynolds. At home, he was a faithful companion whose place in the family could never be defined by his badge or his years on duty.