BOYNTON OFFICER, K9 GET MEMORIAL STATUE
BOYNTON BEACH — With tears in his eyes, Boynton Beach Police Officer Mark Sohn remembered his friend and colleague.
“Joe was an excellent cop, a phenomenal father, a great family man and even the people he arrested, he treated with dignity and even when he had to get rough with some of them, they respected him for that,” Sohn said of Officer Joseph Crowder. “Even some of the criminals today mention that he was a fair person.”
Crowder, a 14-year veteran of the Boynton Beach Police Department, died in December 2016 at 44 after suffering a heart attack while exercising.
On Wednesday at Crowder Dog Park in Boynton Beach, which was previously renamed in memory of the fallen officer, a bronze statue of Crowder’s K9 partner, Daxxx, was unveiled.
The statue was created by artist Lena Toritch with Young Fine Art Studio in Salt Lake City, and paid for through donations from JKM Developers, Triple D Marble & Granite and Fastsigns of Lake Worth.
“To the best of my memory, this is the first time that we actually went out and renamed something and put a statue in a place for an alltime reminder,” said Commissioner Joe Casello.
On hand for the unveiling of the statue were members of Crowder’s family, including his widow, Bridgette, and his children, who were visiting the dog park for the first time.
Bridgette talked about her husband’s relationship with Daxxx, who was also in attendance, sharing how Joseph often told stories about his fun-loving K9 companion. Others close to Crowder also reflected on the relationship the pair had.
“It’s hard to describe, but he and Daxxx had a great time on the street, they meshed well together and that’s the true meaning of a K9 team,” said Sohn, who currently cares for the now-retired Daxxx.
During the unveiling ceremony, which featured the color guard and several dignitaries, speakers remembered Crowder for his professionalism.
Boynton Mayor Steven Grant shared a story of an interaction that he had with Crowder in November 2015.
“I went home over Thanksgiving and all of my patio furniture, and everything in my backyard, was taken,” Grant said.
“He was the one that responded to the 911 call ... He was to the point (and), knew his job.”