Officials in Maine are mourning the loss of K-9 officer Preacher, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, who was killed in the line of duty on Monday night during a tactical operation in Portage. The Maine State Police reported that the incident occurred during a standoff involving a suspect who had shot a deputy earlier in the day. The tactical team was called to the scene, and the standoff lasted for several hours before the suspect attempted to flee the residence around 8 p.m.
K-9 officer Preacher was deployed to apprehend the suspect but was tragically shot in the abdomen while performing his duties. Following the shooting, Preacher’s handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, and Specialist Andrew Hardy returned fire, resulting in the suspect’s death at the scene. Preacher was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was stabilized, but despite the veterinary team’s efforts, the K-9 succumbed to his injuries early the next morning.
Preacher’s passing has deeply affected the Maine State Police. Colonel Ross of the Maine State Police described Preacher as not only a working dog but also a loyal partner, protector, and hero. “Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm,” Ross said.
The Maine State Police have expressed their heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Russell and the entire K-9 unit, acknowledging the courage and dedication of both the human officers and their K-9 partners. “The loss of Preacher is a profound reminder of the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers and their K-9 partners,” officials stated. Preacher’s sacrifice serves as a powerful reminder of the risks law enforcement officers and their K-9 teams face every day in their service to the community.
