Honoring Fallen K9 Officers
On June 16, the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine and the UC Davis Police Department held a Faithful Partners K9 Memorial to honor canine officers killed in the line of duty across the state from 2012-2025. Officers from law enforcement units throughout California gathered at the grassy area near the bronze memorial statue on the veterinary campus to commemorate 27 of their partners who gave it their all in the line of duty.
Memorial photos lined the walkway leading to the memorial, listing the K9s by name, department and end of watch. The Sacramento PD Honor Guard and City of Sacramento Pipe band led the presentation of colors while bagpipes played.
Chief Joseph Farrow of the UC Davis PD offered opening remarks.
“To us, these K9s are not simply a resource or a specialized tool. They are partners. They are members of our law enforcement family,” Farrow said. “They embody the spirit of teamwork and sacrifice that defines our profession. And when a K9 serves this department, that service deserves to be remembered with the same respect and gratitude we extend to every member of our agency. Today's memorial is an opportunity to reconnect with that purpose.”
Sergeant Michael Peña of the Fairfield PD offered a moving testimony of the bond between a K9 partner and their handler. But those bonds extend to the officer’s family. Peña stood on stage with his wife, Laura, holding a photo of his late K9 partner, Cort, recalling all the events that had brought them to UC Davis for veterinary care: multiple times for stab wounds and bite from a human suspect; repair for teeth damaged in the line of duty and finally in April of this year at the age of 12 for heart problems that led to a final goodbye.
Drs. Michael Mison and Bruno Pypendop from the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine offered remarks as well.
“We are fortunate to care for these animals throughout their lives, and sometimes during their most difficult moments,” said Mison who had served as the surgeon involved in the care of K9 Officer Murph after he was injured in the line of duty a few years ago. “It reminds us that commitment and sacrifice come in many forms, including four-legged ones. It reminds us that behind every K9 officer is a larger team of handlers, families, agencies, veterinary professionals, and communities who share in both the responsibility and the sacrifice.”
Thanks to a fund established at the school in 2015, the medical costs of treating K9 officers, as well as search and rescue dogs injured in the line of duty, are covered by generous donors.
“The Faithful Partner Compassionate Care Fund exists because people in this community—some of whom are here today—chose to make sure that cost is never the reason a K9 officer doesn’t get the care they need,” Pypendop said. “Veterinary trauma care is expensive, and many law enforcement agencies don’t have planned budgets for such events. Because of the generosity of our donors, that gap doesn’t matter. When a K9 comes through our doors, the only question we ask is what that dog needs—not who’s going to pay for it.”
Police Captain Mark Brunet and Dr. Mison took turns reading the names of the 27 fallen K9 officers being honored and added to the memorial. A moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes ended the event.
To learn more about the Faithful Partner Compassionate Care Fund and help with these efforts, please visit this website.