Warriors and Rodeo, Racing, and Recreation have partnered with Rodrigue’s Cajun K-9 to give one trained canine to a deserving military / first responder.
Eddie and his family own Rodrigue’s Cajun K-9 based out of Thibodaux, Louisiana.
U.S. Army Veteran
James “Scooter” Cooey
James Cooey left for basic training in September of 1997. He completed On Station Unit Training (OSUT) in February of 1998. He was then stationed at Fort Gordon, GA where he was assigned to a Military Intelligence Unit until May of 1999. Following this assignment, he was sent to Camp Page, Korea. In Korea, he was promoted to team leader where their primary roles were to conduct route reconnaissance, EPOW operations, to work law and order missions, and were responsible for the security of 300 personnel.
In May of 2000, Cooey was assigned to the United States Security Forces Command at Ft. Detrick, Maryland. Here he was a security team leader at the backup Pentagon. He also served on the Special Reaction Team as well. This is like a civilian SWAT team. During 9/11 and the attack on the Twin Towers, he responded within 30 minutes to his unit with a duffle bag and a rucksack. He left for the next 45 days on a high profile, personnel security mission for high ranking officials that left for the backup Pentagon. There, they were on high alert in case there was a threat of attack. Just shy of a year later, Cooey was sent to the Pentagon to be on the personal security detail for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 2003, he was sent from the Pentagon to attend the Military Working Dog course at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. From November of 2003 to May of 2010, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC.
Accomplishments:
- Explosive/Patrol Dog Handler
- Squad leader and Training NCO in charge of the training of 17 Military Working Dogs and their Handlers.
- Deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan. Here he searched roadways, vehicles, villages, and open areas for explosives, firearms, and ammunition with his assigned Military Working Dog, his driver, and his gunner.
- Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom conducting security sweeps at main entry points with his assigned Military Working Dog.
- Conducted security sweeps for visiting VIPs and dignitaries.
- Responded to suspected improvised explosive devices, and suspicious packages at five different American camps.
- While deployed in support of OEF, Cooey was assigned to CJSOTF-A. 7th, 20th, and 3rd SFG. (Combined joint special operations Task Force – Afghanistan
- Competed in and won two United States Army Military Working Dog Competitions with two different military working dogs.
- Provided additional nationwide support to the United States Secret Service during campaigns of Presidential, Vice-Presidential, and foreign dignitary visits both domestic and abroad.
- Performed duties as an intricate member of Ft. Bragg and Ft. Detrick Special Reaction Teams (SRT).
- Trained and supervised those who prepare various breeds of dogs for work in the Canine Corps using a variety of Stimulus-Response techniques.
- Conducted traffic enforcement and accident investigations, narcotic and explosive interdiction, domestic disturbances, criminal investigations, and any other crime taskforce duty.
- Served as Explosives Custodian for explosives utilized as training aids for working dogs.
- Performed customs inspections and detained possible suspects for questioning.
- Provided physical and personal security for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Search prisoners and remove weapons and articles, which could be used in attempting an escape.
- Assist in conducting physical security surveys and physical security inspections, controlled drugs, or radioactive materials.
- Prevent, detect, and investigate accidents, complete necessary forms, and obtain assistance for parties involved.
- Perform emergency response duties, such as responding to fire or security alarms, respond to duress alarms, and assist victims of incidents or assaults.
- Perform emergency tasks including crowd control in the event of civil disturbance, demonstrations, or civil disaster.
- Take emergency action to obtain or maintain order (including use of force, as required) in accordance with training, judgment, and circumstances.
- Conduct covert/overt surveillance and investigations.
- Prepare various written reports, i.e., incidents/complaint and motor vehicle accidents.
His Awards and Decorations include:
- Bronze Star Medal
- Army Commendation Medal x3
- Army Achievement Medal x4
- Iraqi Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Medal
- Korean Service Medal
- Overseas Service Ribbon x3
- Noncommissioned Officer Medal x2
- Army Service Ribbon
- Nato Service Medal Combat Action Badge
- Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge
- Expert Marksmanship Badge
James “Scooter” Cooey is married to Holly Cooey and they have three wonderful children – Kenzie 15, Cy 12, and Ellie 3.
The Rodrigue Family
The Rodrigue family is donating the K-9 as well as all his training to give back to those who serve and to honor Mason Lowe. The cost of training is very expensive, and we appreciate their generosity.
Eddie Rodrigue III, served in law enforcement for 19 years. While with the Thibodaux Police Department he assumed the position of Lieutenant and supervised the following divisions: K-9, Narcotics, Street Crimes, and assisted team leader on the department’s Swat team. He also worked for the Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Office. During his service with the department, he was a Sergeant supervising the K-9 Unit. Rodrigue was also assigned to the department’s Swat Team Inner Agency Crises Management Unit.
#RollingWithTheRodrigues
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Rodrigues-Cajun-K-9-453753528168583/
During his career, he became a National Certified Official for the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association in the following areas: Police Service Dog, Narcotic Detection, Explosive Detection, and Cadaver. He was also considered an expert witness in the 17th JDC for Police K-9.
Currently, Eddie and his family run their own business, Rodrigues Cajun K-9. They train their dogs in the following areas: duck, blood trailing, service, personal companions, Police K-9s, and also focus on behavioral issues. Eddie inherited the gift to train dogs from his father which also has a career of 30 years in law enforcement. Eddies father started teaching him to work and train Police dogs at the age of 10 years old. He is now passing on the gift to his three sons Jay, Carson, and Cade.
Eddie has been married to Danielle Rodrigue for 13 years and has three sons, Jay 13, Carson 10, and Cade 5.
Eddie rode bulls while in high school and competed for a while after graduation. Jay, their oldest, is a three-time MBR (Presented by the PBR) World finalist qualifier. In 2015, Jay won the MBR Cowboy Christmas, 2016 he was the MBR Reserve World Champion, he is also the Louisiana Miniature Jr Mini Bull Rider Champion for 2017 and 2018. Jay also won the 2018 Mississippi Junior High Steer Riding and the Mississippi Jr High Jr bullriding in 2019 and qualified for his first National Jr High finals and won performance #6 in South Dakota at Nationals. Carson qualified for his first MBR World Finals 2018 and finished reserve champion in 2019 in the steer riding for MJHSR . Carson and Jay became the first brothers to win a round together at the world finals in 2018. Carson is the 2017 and 2018 Louisiana Miniature PeeWee Bull Riding Champion. Carson also was the Bareback Champion at Bulls on the Beach on the Florida Alabama line. If Carson is not riding bulls he is in the arena bullfighting bulls. His dream is to fight bulls for the BFO in Las Vegas. Cade, their youngest, started riding sheep at 2 years old. He has started on calves and mini bulls and his favorite bronc horses. Cade has won many buckles over the past few years and his biggest accomplishment is the 3x PBR’s Fan of The Night. He loves Flint.
According to an article written by Houma Today in Terrebonne Parish,
Although he grew up surrounded by dogs, Rodrigue became inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps when he was 16 after a burglar broke into a house in Larose and stole a family’s Christmas presents on Christmas day.
Using a K9, Rodrigue and his father recovered the presents from the real-life Grinch and returned them to a much-relieved family.
“I could not put into words the gratifications I felt when I saw the smiles on those children’s faces when we returned the presents,” Rodrigue said. “From that moment on I always wanted to be a K9 officer and was truly amazed with what a properly trained K-9 could accomplish.”
Mason Lowe
Eddie Rodrigue has been a member of Warriors and Rodeo for over two years. Eddie wanted to donate one of his K-9s to the organization. The partnership between Warriors and Rodeo and Rodrigue’s Cajun K9 was forged only a few days before the tragic bull riding accident that took the life of Professional Bull Rider Mason Lowe. Mason was loved by many in and out of the PBR and his loss affected those at Warriors and Rodeo and the Rodrigue Family.
We recalled the time Mason hung out with some of our active duty and veteran bull riders at an event at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, MO. He was in no hurry to leave and instead spent some time with the guys. He continued to communicate with some via texting, which meant a lot to them.
The Rodrigue family also has their own memories of Mason, including the time they competed in an MBR during a PBR event Mason rode in. Mason got hooked really bad by one of the rank PBR bucking bulls. He staggered into the locker room and looked up at the young bull riders about to compete during half time and said, “Always keep your head up and always think positive” – a conversation the boys will never forget.
Another time the family was at a restaurant when Mason walked in. Mason called the young bull riders over and talked to them like he had known them all their young lives.
Because of this connection with Mason Lowe, the Rodrigues and Warriors and Rodeo got permission from Abbey Lowe, Mason’s wife, to name this special dog – Mason, in memory of a dear friend of all.
Mason
Mason is being raised and trained by Eddie and his family. This training will be customized to fit the needs of the veteran who receives him. Mason is being trained as a service dog, hunting dog, ride on ATVs, and to live on a ranch and with horses. The Rodrigues take Mason with them to bull riding events that the boys compete in where he meets many of Mason Lowe’s bull riding companions.
Mason will be ready for his new home in the fall of 2019.
Donate today to help us reach our goal of $5,000 for Operation WAR K-9. This will be a yearly project so please consider becoming a monthly donor. If you are interested, we will call you to discuss how your donation will be used in this incredible Mission.
Sept. 28, 2019 Waller County Fair, Hempstead, Texas
Thank you to Susan and all at Waller County Fair for inviting Warriors and Rodeo to your event. We are excited to start this relationship that we hope will last for years to come. You have already done so much to honor our military and first responders – thank you from all of us here at W.A.R.