Steve Kiggins

The Spectrum

Her pink tongue hanging from the side of her mouth, Tess was the center of attention on Saturday morning at the Elks Lodge in St. George.

“Good dog!”

“That’s a good girl!”

As one person after another introduced themselves to her handler, Deputy Mike Graf of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Tess sat at Graf’s feet, gladly accepting pats on her head or happily chomping on a squeaky toy made to look like a cheeseburger.

The 7-year-old Belgian Malinois pushed her wet, black nose into the hands of strangers. She cuddled up to children.

What she didn’t do was display a single sign of being shot in the line of duty less than two months ago. But that’s why everybody was gathered on this joyous morning, to recognize Tess for her bravery and to award her for her service.

During a brief ceremony to open the monthly meeting of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 961, President Danny Greathouse presented a Purple Heart medal for Graf to pin to Tess’ vest and a plaque to commemorate the dog’s heroic actions during an August incident in Santa Clara.

“Tess is an extraordinary dog,” Graf told the roomful of supporters that included his father, John, a member of the chapter, his mother, Judy, and other members of the sheriff’s office.

Related:Man shot in standoff charged for allegedly shooting police K-9

“The dog didn’t waver,” Bruce Raftery, a member of the local VVA chapter, said. “Medal of Honor winners don’t waver. They protect. That’s what she did.”

Tess was shot in the jaw late on the night of Aug. 29 following an alleged carjacking and high-speed chase that ended in the arrest of Alvie Jared Grover, 55, who was himself shot multiple times after he opened fire on the dog. Grover faces eight charges — seven felonies — stemming from the standoff.

After being initially treated in St. George, Tess was Life Flighted to Las Vegas, where local law enforcement officials temporarily shut down Tropicana Avenue to allow the helicopter to land on the street outside the Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center.

While Tess didn’t outwardly show signs on this morning of her injuries, Graf said the dog is still in the process of working back into regular duty.

“It’s a never-ending process getting her back into work, working through the struggles that she’s had. We’ve worked back through some gunfire situations, we’ve worked on getting back on some biting,” he said. “She’s progressing very well, so it’s very impressive how strong of a dog she really is. It just goes to her true character and her drive.”

With no formal program locally to recognize K-9 officers, Greathouse said the VVA chapter decided to create its own, adding that the local group would continue to honor other K-9 officers injured in the line of duty.

“This is so important to us, because those K-9’s are so important to their officers,” Greathouse said. “She saved lives that night.”

The VVA’s support was impactful for Graf, who fought back his emotions during the ceremony and later while talking with reporters.

“They don’t get to choose what we ask them to do; they just do what we ask them to do,” Graf said of K-9 officers. “It means a lot to recognize her heroism and protecting us in the way that the dogs do. They just go and do.”

He added, “It’s a great award for her. But it warms my heart to know that the community out there just loves the work that we do and loves the dogs enough to reach out to say thank you.”

Follow Spectrum Media executive editor Steve Kiggins on Twitter, @scoopskiggy. Call him at 435-674-6230.