The Officer Down seminar at the Maryland PSETC in Sykesville was a success.  Thank you to all of the attendees who took the time to come out to hear the stories of the Officer Down project.  We had representatives from Montgomery County, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Baltimore PD, and Maryland State Police who attended.

Pictured: Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz (EOW 1/24/11).

Did you know that four K-9 officers were murdered in the line of duty in 2011?  Along with the officer pictured, Officers Brent Long, Kyle Pagerly and Derek Kotecki were all killed while assisting other officers at the scenes of warrant service.  

I believe these officers faced a greater risk of lethal resistance from offenders because of the fearsome partners they bring with them to encounters.  K-9s make superior partners, and offenders are frightened by the possibility of being bitten.  Sometimes, this may  lead to their use of lethal force against the K-9 handler.

All K-9 officers should know the stories of these brave officers.  Are you a K-9 officer?  What have you learned from your experience about the role of K-9s in law enforcement work?