A Maine man was killed by authorities after he had shot a fatal Maine Staat Police (MSP) K-9 called “preacher” in line with service.
The 4-year-old Belgian Malinois Was killed on Monday during a tactical team operation in Portage.
Preacher and his handler, sgt. Jonathan Russell, was used in a domestic dispute that led to an armed impasse in which the 29-year-old Steven Righini was involved, who shot an Araostook representative, according to a statement from MSP.
Preacher, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, was killed on Monday during a tactical team operation in Maine. (Maine State Police)
The impasse It took a few hours before Righini tried to flee the house around 8 p.m. according to the statement.
Officials said the preacher was shot in the belly after he was used to put on righini.
After the shooting, Righini was called in by SGT. Russell and specialist Andrew Hardy, who, according to MSP, brought the fire back. Righini was declared dead on the spot.
Preacher, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, was killed on Monday during a tactical team operation in Maine. (Maine State Police)
Preacher was immediately rushed to a veterinary clinic in Presque Isle, where, according to the authorities, he underwent an operation. Despite the efforts of veterinary staffHe died at the beginning of Tuesday.
He was surrounded by Russell and various members of the tactical team when he passed, MSP wrote.
“K-9 preacher was more than just a working dog he was a dedicated partner, a protector and a hero,” said MSP Col. William Ross. “Most people will never understand the sacrifices of our K-9 teams, but last night Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others against damage.”
The State Police of Maine shared the loss of K-9 preacher on social media on Tuesday. (Maine State Police)
Russell and Preacher went to the MSP K-9 Patrol School in the fall of 2023, where they became a certified patrol team, according to the statement. The couple served the larger Southern Field Troop area and the MSP Tactical team.
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“The Maine State Police expands its sincere condolences into Sgt. Jonathan Russell and the entire K-9 unit,” wrote MSP. “The loss of preacher is a profound memory of the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers and their K-9 partners.”
