The first Sirius was an explosive detection dog, Badge #17, for the New York-New Jersey Port Authority. Upon hearing the first explosion, his handler, Officer David Lim, left Sirius in his kennel in the basement of Tower Two to investigate. Both Lim and Sirius later were trapped in the debris of the falling buildings. Lim escaped after about five hours; Sirius died when Tower Two collapsed.

CBP personnel inspired by Sirius’s story suggested this tribute. CBP operates the largest federal detector dog program.

“CBP considers it a privilege to have one of our working explosive detector dogs named after the Port Authority K-9 that perished in the World Trade Center tragedy,” said Acting CBP Commissioner Deborah Spero “The Port Authority, Sgt. Lim and the citizens of the New York area experienced great loss on 9/11. This small gesture is intended as a tribute to our shared determination to remember, and to prevent future tragedy.”

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police Department Sgt. David Lim, left, lost his canine partner in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Members of the CBP canine program were touched by Sgt. Lim's loss and named one of their pups in honor of Lim's lost partner, "Sirius." CBP Canine Officer Walter C. Riggs and the new Sirius met Sgt. Lim during their first week at work in January at Newark International Airport.

A promise kept
When Lim left Sirius behind that fateful day, he promised to come back for him. It wasn’t until four months later that the debris was cleared enough to reach the kennel. Lim was there and carried the remains out to a waiting police truck, to a full police honors. The work trucks and workers in the area went silent.

“Sirius was more than just a dog and partner to me, he was a friend and member of my family,” said Sgt. Lim. “Along with thousands of others at the World Trade Center he lost his life and I am deeply moved that he is being honored in a way that continues to recognize the important work of a K-9 explosive detection dog.”

Sirius’s story caught the imagination of many around the world. The British Embassy awarded him the Victoria Cross for bravery. A first grade class in Illinois took up a collection for an oak memorial box to hold the flag that draped his casket.

Port Authority Public Safety Director/Superintendent of Police Samuel J. Plumeri Jr., said, “Naming this dog after Sirius is a touching way to honor not only a beloved K-9 member of our force, but it also pays tribute to the memory of the 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department who sacrificed all on September 11, 2001. Sirius’s legacy is a reminder to all that K-9s are an integral part of policing and security initiatives.”

CBP’s “Sirius” was trained by CBP Canine Officer Walter C. Riggs, who will patrol with the dog, primarily at the Newark port and airport.

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

CBP Canine Officer Walter C. Riggs trained and will patrol the N.J. area with "Sirius," an explosive detector dog named after the only working canine to perish in the World Trade Center attacks of 2001.

A special bond
There is a special bond between us,” Riggs said. “I just knew she was my dog. Sirius is a hard worker, loyal and very smart. We will continue to train and work hard to protect the people of this great nation, just like her namesake and Officer Lim did before us.”

CBP’s Canine Enforcement Program continues to expand canine detection capabilities needed to combat terrorism and interdict narcotics and other contraband while helping to facilitate legitimate trade and travel. It operates the CBP Canine Enforcement Training Center in Front Royal, Va., where explosive detector dogs face a 15-week course and are trained to alert to over 20 explosive odors before they can graduate. They acclimate to work in cargo, luggage, buildings, passengers, trains, aircraft, and a myriad of land and sea conveyances.