Maine State Police Receive Memorial Bench Honoring Fallen K-9

A new memorial bench honoring a fallen police K-9 now sits outside the Maine State Police barracks in Gray.

The bench honoring the memory of K-9 Preacher was donated to state police by the Trooper Black Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports police officers and their families.

The two-year-old Belgian Malinois was killed after a report of a domestic dispute turned into a police standoff at a home in the Aroostook County town of Portage Lake on Monday, February 3, 2025.

After the suspect, 29-year-old Steven Righini, attempted to flee, K-9 Preacher was deployed to apprehend him, but the suspect shot the dog in the abdomen, according to a state police press release.

Righini was shot and killed by police and K-9 Preacher was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Presque Isle, where he underwent surgery, the release says.

Despite the efforts of veterinary staff, K-9 Preacher succumbed to his injuries while surrounded by his handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, and several other officers.

"We'd like to thank the Trooper Black Foundation for generously donating this bench, dedicated to the memory of Fallen K-9 Preacher, that now sits outside our barracks in Gray," state police said in a post on Facebook. "A truly special piece of Maine State Police history for a life taken too soon."

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K-9 Preacher and Sgt. Russell served the greater Southern Field Troop area and the Maine State Police Tactical Team.

The duo attended the Maine State Police K9 Patrol School in the fall of 2023, where they became a certified patrol team.