A Maine State Police K-9 will be among 23 police dogs honored at the National Police K-9 Memorial Service on May 11 in Washington, D.C., recognizing canines who died in the line of duty in 2025.

K-9 Preacher, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois, was shot and killed during a tactical operation in Portage Lake in February 2025 — the only police dog ever killed in the line of duty in Maine.

The service, held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during National Police Week, will include a wreath-laying ceremony and is organized by the National Police Dog Foundation to honor fallen K-9s from agencies across the U.S. and internationally.

Preacher’s handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, is expected to attend the ceremony, which will also be livestreamed.

wabi.tv