Welcome to Ned’s Wish, Madox!
Born in February 2019 at the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alberta, PSD Madox seemed destined for police work from the very beginning. Raised by Cst. Michaël Ebacher, she later partnered with Cst. Simon Bigras in May 2020. Together, they completed RCMP Police Dog Service training between June and September 2020, launching a remarkable career that would span five years across Strathcona County and the Edmonton West area.
Madox was a full-profile Police Dog with a specialty in narcotics detection, but anyone who met her quickly discovered she was anything but a stereotypical police dog. She never met a stranger. Whether it was a victim, witness, police officer, or even someone she had just apprehended, Madox believed everyone deserved a friendly greeting. Her tail often wagged just as enthusiastically for “bad guys” as it did for her fellow officers.
Her first apprehension came while assisting the late Cst. Harvinder “Harvey” Dhami on a call involving a stolen vehicle at a gas station. A suspect fled on foot, but Madox quickly demonstrated that running away was rarely a successful strategy when she was on the case.
Throughout her career, Madox built a reputation as a determined tracker with an exceptional nose. One of her most impressive successes occurred during the winter of 2022 when she assisted Fort Saskatchewan RCMP in locating a serial 7-Eleven robber. On a brutally cold night with temperatures below -30°C, Madox followed a track from behind the store, through alleys and residential streets, all the way to the suspect’s front door. Only after arriving did investigators confirm it was the suspect’s residence. The arrest led to a conviction, validating Madox’s incredible work.
Another unforgettable case involved a high-risk firearms investigation following a vehicle pursuit connected to a break-and-enter and stolen firearms. Working alongside Emergency Response Team members, Madox relocated a lost track and later alerted officers to two suspects concealed nearby after detecting their presence when the wind shifted. Thanks to her instincts and awareness, both suspects were safely taken into custody without incident.
Perhaps her most memorable performance came on a sweltering summer day near Riley, Alberta. Two suspects had fled from a stolen vehicle and disappeared into farmland and swampy terrain. Despite extreme heat, muddy conditions, and hours of tracking through cow pastures and wetlands, Madox refused to quit. After receiving fluids to help combat the heat, she continued tracking, located the suspects’ trail, and helped close the distance. One suspect surrendered, while the second attempted to escape by swimming through a large swamp. Madox fearlessly pursued through the water until her brother, PSD Memphis, and handler Sgt. Drenka arrived as a cutoff team. Together, the brother-and-sister team brought the pursuit to a successful conclusion.
Madox’s policing career came to an unexpected end following two major back surgeries within six months. In late 2025, a mass discovered on her spine was removed and later determined to be a bulging disc. Through determination, rehabilitation, and physical therapy with Margaret at Canine Fitness, Madox made an inspiring return to duty in March 2026 and quickly got back to catching bad guys. Unfortunately, a re-injury in April led to a second surgery in May 2026. The procedures left her with significant deficits in her hind legs, ultimately resulting in her retirement.
Today, Madox continues her recovery journey with the same spirit that made her such an outstanding police dog. She remains a happy, affectionate companion while working through physical therapy, laser therapy, massage treatments, and rehabilitation to maximize her mobility.
Over five years of service, Madox proved that toughness and kindness are not opposites. She could track a criminal across frozen streets, locate hidden suspects in dense woods, and still stop to make a new friend along the way. Her legacy is one of determination, loyalty, courage, and an endless belief that everyone deserves a hello.
Good girl, Madox. You’ve more than earned your retirement.