Canine officer remembered for his caring, funny sides

Chief says 14-year officer garnered respect from both the good and bad guys.

BOYNTON BEACH — The community knew Joseph Crowder as a Boynton Beach Police c anine officer.

He’s the one who appeared to be in top physical health and partnered with police dog Daxxx and later Iro to track down criminals on the run. One chase was even captured on live television.

But there were so many other sides to Crowder, 44, officer Brian Adams said. So on Thursday at Crowder’s memorial ser vice, about a month after the officer died while exercising, Adams decided it was time to let the public in on his friend and roommate.

There was Lotto Joe because you could always find lottery tickets in his car. Crowder would come up with numbers during the day and then play them.

Doctor Joe. Crowder would tell you to rub an onion on any injury to make it better.

Rock star Joe. Once while training Crowder found a drum set and played a quick performance of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” And, it was good, Adams said.

But Adams’ favorite was Caring Joe. Before he could describe that side of Crowder, Adams took a deep breath and paused while he tried to calm himself.

“This was the Joe that would do absolutely anything for you,” he said. “No matter what you asked of him it was always the same reply: ‘I got you bro.’ ”

Crowder, a father of two young boys, worked for the police department for 14 years. He started as a community service officer, and became a canine officer in 2012. He was also a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army reserves. He died Dec. 12 at 44 on an evening run. Family members, who at the memorial service wore shirts with Crowder’s photo on them, said he had a heart attack.

Sabrina Nesbitt described her younger brother as the comedian of nine siblings, a “mama’s boy,” a great fisherman, an awesome father, fitness trainer and a churchman.

During the memorial service at Christ Fellowship, Police Chief Jeffrey Katz encouraged others to live a life of service like Crowder. He spoke about Crowder’s warm smile, dedication to his job and the respect he received from both the good guys and while rare,

JOSEPH FORZANO / THE PALM BEACH POST A photo of Boynton Beach Police officer Joseph Crowder and his canine partner, Daxxx, is displayed at the memorial Thursday for Crowder at Christ Fellowship Church in Boynton Beach. Crowder died suddenly while jogging Dec. 12.