Michigan & Rookie…Guardians of the Night

By Joaquin Guerrero
as told to
Barbara Marshak

In Saginaw, Michigan—a city plagued with gang violence—Officer Joaquin Guerrero sensed God’s call to work the dangerous night streets. Using Rookie as his mascot he created Precinct 131, a program for kids to “say no to gangs, guns, drugs, and violence,” in a city that ranks #1 in violent crime per capita. School kids across the area bonded with Rookie, an affable German shepherd, and collected Rookie dolls, puppies, and patches.  

On 9/11 Officer Guerrero and Rookie responded to Ground Zero to help in the search efforts. The devastation took Joaquin to his knees.  In the days that followed Joaquin and Rookie spent 12- and 14-hour days on ‘the pile’. Because of his unusual name, New York firefighters renamed Joaquin ‘Michigan’, which he added to his helmet. During downtime Rookie worked as a therapy dog to big burly ironworkers and firemen. After returning home Rookie developed an aggressive form of cancer and died. K9 handlers from all across Michigan attended his honorary memorial service.

Michigan & Rookie is a look at Rookie’s eight-year career, told through the POV of this K9 hero and his handler.  This book was written in dedication to K9 handlers and their loyal partners all across America who often go unnoticed, yet continue to respond above and beyond the call in service to their communities...and their country.

Joaquin and Rookie were featured in the episode “Native American Heroes” on Hidden Heritage, June 2010, on RFD-TV. Rookie’s moving story of service earned the highest Nielson Ratings for RFD-TV in 2010. As Joaquin states in the episode, “Rookie respected all…and feared none.”

Today Officer Guerrero continues Rookie’s legacy with Rookie II, another K9-trained German shepherd, having served his community for 22 years. Michigan & Rookie is scheduled to be released August 2011, Beaver’s Pond Press, Minneapolis.