Tulsa Police Department Trailblazer Dies

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa Police officer credited with starting the police department's K9 Corps in 1962 passed away last weekend.

Claude Hal Rawlinson, 75, died Saturday following a massive stroke.

In 1962, Hal Rawlinson and another police officer asked the department to go to Kansas City, Missouri to train with their canine partners and then brought them back to start Tulsa Police's K9 Unit.

The program continues today with 12 officer handler-dog teams.

After Rawlinson retired from the department, he opened the Hungry Pelican and the Biscuits Plus.

He also worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tulsa.

His partner's name was Doc.

Rawlinson's son told The News On 6, his father often regaled people with many exciting stories of his K9 days.

Rawlinson's funeral is Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 12110 East 7th Street at 10 a.m.

Rawlinson had five children, 17 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.