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K9 Frankie was shot while assisting officers during the standoff at 40 Oliver Street in Fitchburg, Massachusetts State Police said during a press conference.
The standoff began shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26, after investigators learned of an armed fugitive, later identified as Matthew Mack, who barricaded himself inside the building. Mack was wanted on previous firearm offenses, according to police.
K9 Frankie and his handler, Trooper David Stucenski, tried to approach Mack after crisis negotiators worked to peacefully resolve the conflict. At that point, Mack fired numerous shots at the officers, injuring Frankie.
Frankie was immediately taken to a nearby animal hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. He was canine killed in the line of duty, State Police said.
Trooper Stucenski was not physically injured. Later on, Mack died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound around 5:20 p.m., bringing the standoff to an end.
K-9 Frankie and his handler were a decorated duo that earned the Medal of Valor during the George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery ceremony in 2017, the State Police Association of Massachusetts said on Facebook. The organization took a moment to honor Frankie's dedication to protecting others.
"As K-9 Frankie did hundreds of times before, he placed himself between our members and a dangerous subject," the association said. "However, today this resulted in his ultimate sacrifice, something we will forever remember."
"When one of our K9s pass – until today, never in the line of duty – our K9 handlers have a saying. 'Free Time,'" Massachusetts State Police Colonel Christopher Mason said. "It means that these brave dogs who work so hard to protect the rest of us have earned their eternal peace. Free time and Godspeed, Frankie."
K9 Frankie would have turned 11 nest week, State Police added.
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