April 14, 2021
In this, the 100th year of WSP service to the state of Washington, we pause to honor all who have served and sacrificed, including our K9 officers. Today marks the anniversary of the loss of Washington State Patrol K9 Patrick, the only member of the agency’s explosive detection canine team lost while on duty.
K9 Patrick, a two year, nine month old German Shepherd, served alongside his partner Trooper Mike Allan. The pair began working together in October 2015, spending over 400 hours of training in explosives detection at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. The duo became certified on December 10, 2015, assigned to the Washington State Patrol Homeland Security Division in Seattle.
On April 14, 2016, K9 Patrick died from intestinal distress after participating in explosive detection training at the AMTRAK Seattle Sounder station and screening two loads of cars at the Colman Ferry Terminal. After conducting the training and screening services, Trooper Allan saw K-9 Patrick was not well and rushed his faithful partner to the veterinarian’s office where the beloved animal later died.
K9 Patrick is now honored at a memorial monument at the Washington State Patrol Academy in Shelton erected in 2017 honoring his service and any other canine officers lost in the future while on duty. The monument is just steps away from a separate monument that honors the 31 WSP men and women who have died in
the line of duty in the agencies first century of service.
Canine officers are special animals – well trained, courageous, and trusted experts – that help keep the traveling public, our vessels, our facilities, and our
gathering places safe. We are truly honored to know and work with them and are privileged by their selfless service.
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