Constable Willis E. Rhodeniser, 28, was a dog master stationed at Yorkton, near Fort Qu’Apelle Saskatchewan. He became a member of the RCMP in 1935 and partnered with his K9 “Tell” in 1938. On August 26, 1939, he had been called to assist in the search of the multiple murderer, Nelson Sammy, who shot and killed his wife and her parents on an Indian Reserve near Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan on August 25th. There was a report that Sammy had been seen near his barn and a number of officers set out for the search. Constable Rhodeniser was successful in his efforts with the assistance of his trusted Police Service Dog “Tell” who had successfully picked up the suspects track and followed it into the brush. Unfortunately, he was fatally shot in the chest when he approached the suspect his faithful dog had tracked down. Other officers returned fire at Sammy who was wounded and captured. Nelson Sammy was then transported to a hospital where he recovered from his wounds. He was later convicted of manslaughter of his wife and her parents and later for murder of Constable Rhodeniser. Sammy Nelson was sentenced to death for the murder of Constable Rhodeniser and hanged at the age of 35 on July 4, 1940 in Saskatchewan.