New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“With deep sadness, we announce the recent passing of Massachusetts State Police K9 Duke.
Duke was the partner of Trooper Jack Doherty since August 2014 and was certified in patrol and narcotics detection. Duke retired in 2021 and passed away last month, one month shy of his 11th birthday, which would have been today.
Duke was a successful, dedicated and hard-working dog with a big heart. Duke loved the work of searching for people and narcotics. He also, however, loved community events, including demonstrations and meet-and-greets, including a book reading to children where he was able to just be a dog and received much-deserved attention from the kids.
Over the years, Duke located many criminal suspects, lost hikers, runaways, people with suicidal thoughts, and people who were missing as a result of memory impairment.
Duke was productive on the narcotics detection side as well, with seizures of multiple kilos of illegal narcotics and thousands of dollars in illicit drug money.
Many times while tracking, Duke recovered relevant items or evidence. On one search, Duke located the murder weapons from a homicide, which had been discarded well off the road, away from the scene.
Duke was an amazing partner and a beloved member of the Massachusetts State Police and Doherty families. He was a great ambassador of our Department and he is deeply missed.
Free time Duke!
#rainbowbridge.” -Massachusetts State Police.
