Police dog Jax, who faithfully served the Castle Rock Police Department for six years before retiring in 2008, went to sleep for the last time in May.

The Belgian Malinois wasn’t the department’s first dog, but he arguably was its most beloved. He enjoyed celebrity status among many local children.

More importantly, he was a valued member of the Town police force, assisting with searches and protecting his fellow officers.

“Jax loved this job and treated each of you as one of his pack,” Police Service Dog Handler Todd Thompson wrote to the department in announcing Jax’s passing. “He will be missed.”

To help honor Jax’s memory, a group of police officers is raising funds to create a statue of Jax. Plans call for the piece to be installed just south of the front steps of Police Headquarters.

It will serve not only as a memorial for Jax but for all other service dogs that retire from the department.

Local artist Janene DiRico-Cable already has designed a miniature version of the sculpture, which can be viewed at coloradofop54.com.

To have a life-sized version cast in bronze and a dedication plaque created, the officers group needs to raise $10,000. This is a significant savings from the $25,000 to $30,000 such a project normally would cost, but DiRico-Cable is donating her time and design skills.

Donations can be mailed to Castle Rock FOP, P.O. Box 1981, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Donations also can be sent via PayPal to coloradofop54@gmail.com.

T-shirts honoring Jax also are being sold as part of the fundraising effort. Visit the above website to place an order, or buy one at the group’s booth at the Starlight Summer Movie nights on July 10 or Sept. 4.

So far, $2,700 has been raised toward the statue. Any funds raised that are not needed for the sculpture will be placed into an account to add names to the memorial and maintain it in the coming years.

Questions regarding this project can be directed to the above e-mail address.