[CREDIT: WP composite/Images courtesy of Mayor Picozzi’s office] On Saturday, RI State Police K-9 Ruby, left, inspiration for the movie Rescued by Ruby, was honored at Sandy Point Beach in Potowomut. At right are RI State Police Sgt. Dan O’Neil and his family on the bench dedicated in the hero dog’s memory.[CREDIT: American Humane Hero Dog Awards] K-9 Ruby, inspiration for the movie Rescued by Ruby, attends a red carpet reception for the American Humane Hero Dog Awards in 2018.WARWICK, RI — Family, friends, colleagues and officials gathered at Sandy Point Beach in Potowomut to honor late K-9 Officer Ruby, partner to State Police Sgt. Dan O’Neil of Warwick and inspiration for the Netflix movie Rescued by Ruby.
“A very special ceremony took place in the early evening yesterday at Sandy Point Beach in Potowomut. I’m sure that you all know the incredible story of Ruby, a shelter dog that after multiple attempts seemed to be un-adoptable
Until Warwick resident, State Police Sergeant Dan O’Neil took a chance on her and made her a part of his family, and trained her to be a highly skilled police K9,” Mayor Frank Picozzi wrote on his Facebook page Sunday.
When the volunteer, Patricia Inman, first met Ruby, the dog had developed a reputation as unmanageable, but continued to foster her through repeated adoption attempts. O’Neil, who dreamed of working as a K-9 officer, took note of Ruby’s intelligence and high energy, and gave her a chance. The two worked together through many challenges, earning work as a K-9 unit in the RI State Police.
‘The story of Ruby, Sergeant Daniel O’Neil and his family is incredibly inspiring. If you’ve never watched the movie Rescued By Ruby, you should. Thank you, Ruby for your service,’ Mayor Frank Picozzi
Their work saved lives and earned Ruby national recognition and an appearance on the Today Show. After more than 10 years, Ruby was still an active and valued member of the RI State Police, but on May 15, 2022, RI State Police announced she had been euthanized after being diagnosed with an untreatable illness.
“About a year ago, Sergeant O’Neil’s neighbor Leigh Carney came to me and asked if some kind of memorial could be placed in Potowomut to honor Ruby,” Picozzi said.
“Of course I told her the city would help in any way that we could. After some ideas were tossed around, it was decided to put a bench at Sandy Point Beach with a plaque honoring Ruby. Leigh along with others came up with a plan and raised the money. The ceremony dedicating the bench was yesterday, the one year anniversary of the day that Ruby passed away.”
That ceremony was a surprise for O’Neil.
“His parents and siblings were there as well as some of his State Police k9 compatriots. Dan and his family are the wonderful, loving and caring people that they were portrayed in the movie,” Picozzi said.
“The story of Ruby, Sergeant Daniel O’Neil and his family is incredibly inspiring. If you’ve never watched the movie Rescued By Ruby, you should. Thank you, Ruby for your service,” he added.
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
![[CREDIT: WP composite/Images courtesy of Mayor Picozzi's office] On Saturday, RI State Police K-9 Ruby, inspiration for the movie Rescued by Ruby, was honored at Sandy Point Beach in Potowomut.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rescued-by-Ruby-Ruby-k-9-Memorial-2023.jpg)
![[CREDIT: American Humane Hero Dog Awards] K-9 Ruby, inspiration for the movie Rescued by Ruby, attends a red carpet reception for the American Humane Hero Dog Awards in 2018.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/K-9-Ruby-Red-Carpet--336x448.jpg)
