A police K-9 honored for protecting his handler in a deadly standoff is the first dog to die while on duty in Massachusetts.
Frankie, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, was a nearly nine-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police.
Police arrived at a house in the town of Fitchburg on Tuesday morning occupied by “fugitive” Michael Mack, 38.
Mack was wanted for firearms offenses and complicity in a shooting that took place last Thursday.
After an hours-long standoff, Frankie and his escort, Sergeant David Stucenski, attempted to take Mack into custody.
Mack fired multiple shots at the pair. Stucenski was unharmed, but Frankie was hit by the gunfire.
Later, Mack turned the gun on himself, police said.
“Frankie had all the qualities we look for in a good law enforcement officer, dog or human: intelligence, tremendous courage and dedication to protecting the public,” said police spokesman Colonel Christopher Mason.
“He was as loyal a partner as any Trooper has ever had.”
Mason also called Frankie a “highly decorated member” of the police force. Frankie and his companion were awarded the Medal of Valor in 2017 at the state’s highest award ceremony.
Frankie was honored for indicting an armed suspect who opened fire on him and Stucenski. Frankie was able to disarm the suspect and save his handler’s life, state police said. facebook.
Frankie was taken to a local animal hospital in Westminster, where he died of his injuries. He became the first dog to be transported by ambulance thanks to a law signed in February.
Nero’s law, named after another police K9 who was injured on the job in 2018, allows first responders to treat police animals and transport them by ambulance, as long as there are no people who need medical attention first.
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