State Police To Honor Fallen Police K-9 "Preacher" With Funeral

A Police dog, who was killed in the line of duty in an armed standoff one week ago, will be honored by the Maine State Police with a funeral scheduled for Wednesday February 12th.

The four-year old Belgian Malinois, Preacher, was killed while he and his handler Sgt. Jonathan Russell were assisting as part of the Maine State Police Tactical Team in Portage on February 4th.

K9 Preacher Pic, Maine Department of Public Safety

According to Maine Public Safety Spokesperson, Shannon Moss, Precher's procession will begin at 10:15 at Crosby's Farm (the former home of Troop G of the Maine State Police, the unit that patrols the turnpike between Kittery and Augusta, until 2009) and proceed along a designated path until coming to it's final destination, The Point Community Center at 345 Clarks Pond Parkway in South Portland, at 11 AM.

"During the procession, K9 handlers and their partners will be lined up along John Roberts Road in tribute to Preacher."

Tyler Davis

"K9 Preacher gave his life protecting his fellow officers and the citizens of Maine. More than one hundred law enforcement officers from Maine and across New England are expected to gather to honor his service and sacrifice and pay their respects to handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, the Maine State Police K9 Unit, and the Tactical Team."

For those unable to make it in person, the service will be live-streamed. You can watch it by clicking here.