There’s a photo making the rounds right now of K-9 Rigby, sitting on the dunes, with the Gulf behind him. It’s a beautiful shot. The kind that makes you stop scrolling. But it only tells a fraction of the story behind this working dog.
Behind those steady eyes is a canine who has helped track down suspects, detect narcotics, and, in a life-or-death moment during a call, protected his partner from being harmed.
And right now, he needs our votes.
K-9 Rigby, of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, is one of the final four in the Florida Sheriffs Association K-9 March Madness Competition.
He’s the underdog in this round, but if you’ve spent even five minutes hearing about him, you start to realize that underdog might just be his favorite role.
ECSO Deputy Larry Richardson doesn’t hesitate when asked what makes Rigby special.
“His high drive,” he says. “He’s nonstop. Always going. Loves to work, on duty and even at home.”
Rigby isn’t the kind of dog who clocks out. He’s wired to serve, to search, to stay one step ahead. That relentless energy is what makes him so effective on the street and so valuable to the deputies who rely on him.
Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 RigbyThe two have been partners since late 2022, hitting the streets together in early 2023. Since then, they’ve become exactly what a K-9 unit is meant to be: a seamless team.
On any given day, they’re running alongside patrol deputies, assisting on traffic stops, tracking suspects who’ve fled, and supporting narcotics investigations, from local calls to major finds, including a 14-pound meth detection at a post office.
But for all the action, there’s a quieter side to Rigby, too. When the harness comes off, so does the intensity.
“At home, he’s basically a lap dog,” Richardson says with a laugh. “He jumps in bed, stays close. He just wants attention.”
He plays with Richardson’s retired K-9, loves the kids, and, like any good family dog, knows exactly when it’s time to turn it all off.
Rigby isn’t just a name – it’s a legacy. He was named in honor of fallen deputy William Rigby, who died in 1955. It’s a reminder that every time this dog goes to work, he carries more than commands. He carries history, sacrifice, and a standard to uphold.
And by all accounts, he’s doing just that.
Every K-9 team has a story. One that reminds you this isn’t just training, it’s trust. For Richardson and Rigby, that moment came during an officer-involved shooting.
After stopping a stolen vehicle, Richardson came under fire. A bullet struck his passenger door. In seconds, training took over.
He moved. Rigby moved with him. When the suspect reappeared with a weapon, Richardson deployed Rigby.
What happened next likely saved Deputy Richardson’s life.
“You could see the suspect was surprised,” Richardson said. “If Rigby hadn’t engaged when he did, I think we would’ve been in a gunfight; instead, I was able to return fire.”
No hesitation. No second-guessing. Just a dog doing exactly what he was trained and trusted to do.
Chief Deputy Tommi Lyter points to the stats: “Thirty-seven successful tracking finds and numerous narcotics deployments.”
But numbers only tell part of that story, too.
Each of those “finds” represents a suspect located, a situation resolved, a potential threat removed. It’s hours of training translating into safer outcomes for deputies and for the community.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons puts it clearly, “K-9 units are essential in modern law enforcement. Their capabilities simply cannot be replicated by technology alone. Whether it’s locating missing persons, detecting narcotics or explosives, or apprehending dangerous suspects, these highly trained partners enhance both the effectiveness and safety of our deputies.”
As a LEO wife, I am thankful the Sheriff values this department and the K-9s. But I also wanted to know, if K-9 Rigby wins, will there be a celebration?!
“Well,” Sheriff Simmons said with a grin, “he’s already told us he’d like to celebrate with a steak dinner.”
How can you help K-9 Rigby? Right now, his story is being judged by a single photograph. But now you know the rest of it.
You know about the late-night calls, the beach patrols, the 37 tracking finds, the narcotics seizures, the quiet moments at home, and the split-second decision that may have saved a life.
You know he’s more than a picture. He’s a partner. A protector. A hero.
Thank you, K-9 Rigby and Deputy Richardson, you can count on Escambia County to vote!
Voting closes TONIGHT, April 8, at 6 PM.
How to vote:
- Visit: woobox.com/8gkrc8
- Vote in EVERY bracket (Rigby is in Bracket #2)
- Enter your name and email at the bottom to submit
Then share it. Text it. Post it. Send it to your group chat. And stay tuned to find out if he makes it to the final round!
Find more information here: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page
