WASHINGTON — At the heart of National Police Week, on a quiet Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C., the bond between officer and K-9 was remembered in solemn tribute.
On May 11, law enforcement officers, K-9 handlers, families and supporters gathered at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the Annual National Police K-9 Memorial Service — a ceremony that honored the courage and sacrifice of 22 police K-9s who gave their lives in the line of duty in 2024.
The event, hosted by the National Police Dog Foundation, included a wreath-laying ceremony and the recitation of each fallen K-9’s name: Wessel, Nyx, Maze, Leo, Luca, Raiden, Rivan, Dax, Max, Coba, Wick, Horus, Archer, Vader, Odin, Dolar, Mikka, Riddick, Kodak, Draco, Titan and Bumi.
"[The K-9’s] loyalty and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Each K-9 we remember today was more than just a working partner: they were protectors and a vital part of our law enforcement family. Their commitment to duty and love for their handlers were unwaivered, and their sacrifice is something we hold in our hearts forever,” an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department Metro K-9 Unit said.
A notable part of this year’s ceremony was the presence of an all-female combined honor guard team, who took part in leading the memorial service with professionalism and respect.
Among the tributes shared, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Sgt. Richard “Cole” Powell spoke about his partner, K-9 Coba — a K-9 responsible for 15 criminal apprehensions during his career. Powell recounted the moments leading up to Coba’s death, when a suspect opened fire while officers were executing a warrant.
Coba had latched onto the suspect’s forearm during the apprehension when the suspect managed to fire a shotgun, striking the K-9.
“I was incredibly proud to be his handler,” Powell said.
He described the final moments with his partner: “The last few minutes of his life were spent in the back of the car with me, with him fighting to breathe and me telling him how much I loved him. This memory is burned in my head, and still hurts as it happened yesterday, but it’s been a year now. On June 11, Coba lost his life. But on June 11, my lieutenant got to go home and hug his kids ... My wife and kids got to get me back home.”
Powell shared that Coba’s memory continues to live on in his home.
“To this day, my 5-year-old son carries around a stuffed police dog with a vest that says ‘K-9 Coba.’ He takes him everywhere he goes and is able to talk about the hero that his daddy’s dog was. My 2-year-old daughter, when I get home, she wants to see Coba.”
One of the most moving moments of the memorial came when K-9 Officer Isabel McDonald of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office read her original poem, The Police K-9 — a tribute that resonated with the audience as she spoke of the loyalty, bravery and unbreakable partnership that defines every police dog’s service.
“I was so nervous before I read the poem. Every time I looked at the K-9 handlers who lost their K-9s, I couldn’t help but get emotional. Unfortunately, that’s why we were here. After I read the poem, I could only hope those handlers felt some comfort,” she said.
McDonald also shared a meaningful gesture she prepared ahead of the ceremony: “At the meet-and-greet the night before the service, I handed out poem cards I made so each handler would have something meaningful to hold onto.”
The full poem reads:
The Police K-9
By Isabel McDonald, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office
I am a police K-9
I was chosen for this work to shield the innocent from harm and if need be, sacrifice myself for you.
I am a police K-9
I am your protector and you are mine. I trust you with my life and I yours. The bond we create is unlike any other.
I am a police K-9
I am your partner from sunrise to sundown. I am always eager to work and train so I can get my reward. I don’t complain and always listen for your command.
I am a police K-9
I see danger you cannot, and I am not intimidated by anything and fear nothing. I watch over the flock and keep the predators at bay.
I am a police K-9
I search diligently for the missing who are defenseless and scared so they can be reunited with their families who otherwise might never see them again.
I am a police K-9
I can sniff the presence of explosive or narcotic odor that you cannot and will protect all from the evil of those that wish the world harm.
I am a police K-9
I can hear the noises you cannot and will lead you to those who think they can hide from their criminal act, but I will find them, so they are brought to justice.
I am a police K-9
If I sacrifice myself in the line of duty or when my health starts to fail me and I can no longer hear, see or smell for you I will stay by your side just as you have mine and when it’s time to leave this earth, I will forever be your police K-9.
The service also highlighted the National Police Dog Foundation’s K-9 Memorial Fund, which helps agencies replace and train new police dogs after a loss. Since its establishment in 2018, the fund has continued to support K-9 programs across the country — ensuring that the legacy of fallen K-9s lives on through the next generation of service dogs. To learn more or donate, visit npdf.org.
