K-9 Beni

Program Member #281

K-9 “Beni” entered our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 281st Program Member. He bravely served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Explosives Detection K-9 for ten years with the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois.

K-9 Beni had a distinguished career in catching criminals and protecting the public. He had numerous deployments with the United States Secret Service for Presidential, Vice Presidential, and other dignitary visits, and was deployed to bomb threats and performed security searches for the local airport, schools, and events.

Beni developed severe arthritis in his back and in several joints, affecting his mobility. This unfortunately caught up with him and he reached his End of Watch.

We are honored to have served Beni and his family. Beni, you will always be remembered  after all you have done to protect the State of Illinois and the United States of America.

May 1st, 2013 - August 6th, 2024

K-9 Kash

Program Member #290

K-9 Kash bravely served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9, from 2017 through 2021, with Carlsbad Police Department in California.

During his four years of service, Kash was an exceptional Police K-9 who served with the utmost valor and distinction, taking countless amounts of illegal narcotics off the streets and apprehending dangerous criminals. Kash also served on the SWAT Team, and was known to be one of the fastest and most capable K-9’s, not only in his department, but in his entire region.

Kash was on his way to a highly successful and long career, until an in-the-line-of-duty injury ended his tenure in 2021. Although he tried to come back to work, the injury was so severe, Kash was forced to medically retire.

On July 11 of this year, Kash had difficulty breathing and had to be rushed to the emergency room. After several hours of examinations, his family learned that Kash had Lymphoma, and the cancerous tumors were crushing his heart and lungs. Although he went through chemotherapy, Kash was unable to overcome his illness. His family loved him tremendously, and we were honored to cover all of Kash's medical bills until his final day. It was the least we could do for K-9 Kash for his dedication to helping others.

Thank you, K-9 Kash, for all you have done to serve your community and the United States of America.

July 22nd, 2016 - August 16th, 2024

K-9 Bart

Program Member #20

It is with extremely heavy heart that we announce the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #20, K-9 Bart.

K-9 Bart was brought to Lackland Air Force Base to complete his training as a Passenger Screening Canine around the age of one year old. From there, he was assigned his human partner through Department of Homeland Security/TSA. Upon completion of his training, they both were relocated to Kansas City where they worked tirelessly to protect the airport and its travelers (with a passenger flow of approximately 10.5 million).

In late 2014, K-9 Bart and his handler were transferred to work in Chicago. During this time K-9 Bart, added to his fan base as he was diligent during his duties and also acted as a liaison when patrolling the concourses. In 2016, Midway Airport had a passenger flow of roughly 24 million.

In August of 2016, Bart's medical condition was discovered. He began showing signs of Exercise Induced Hyperthermia, which caused him to overheat quickly and limited his working time. This medical condition could not be treated to the point where Bart would be able to remain working with TSA. He was forced to retire earlier than expected, and lost all of his government-funded medical care when he needed it the most. This Hero entered our Pack in 2017, and we were honored to serve him for over seven years.

Our thoughts go out to his handler and family back in Chicago!

February 10th, 2012 - August 26th, 2024

MWD Bailey (A602)

Program Member #199

Retired Military Working Dog (MWD) “Bailey” (A602) entered our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 199th Program Member.  Bailey served for three years with the U.S. Army, assigned to the 483D Military Police Detachment, in Fort Huachuca, AZ.

During her service, MWD Bailey participated in a combat deployment to Iraq, until an accident while working forced her into an early retirement for medical reasons. MWD Bailey has put herself in harms way in the line of duty to make sure that American lives were saved.

Bailey had a long list of injuries that required hundreds of dollars per month of medications that were not covered upon her retirement, and needed a costly surgery.

Because of Bailey’s outstanding service to our country, her extensive medical needs, and the financial burden those will place on her handler, we were honored to place MWD Bailey into our program.

We are so grateful for her service and she will never be forgotten.

July 2nd, 2016 - August 28th, 2024

K-9 Owen

Program Member #116

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the passing today of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #116, K-9 Owen.

Owen honorably served as an Explosive Detection K-9 for the U.S. Capitol Police from 2010-2017, as one of the first four K-9s to screen pedestrians to detect and prevent suicide bombers as they approached the U.S. Capitol.

K-9 Owen worked outside in all types of weather conditions, screening hundreds of thousands of pedestrians coming to visit or attending government functions, such as the State of the Union Address or Inauguration of the President.

K-9 Owen spent seven years protecting the Nation’s Capitol and Congress. In retirement he assisted us in asking Members of Congress to help protect retired working dogs like him through our initiatives.

We will ensure that K-9 Owen is Never Forgotten, and we thank him for his service to our country

April 6th, 2008 - August 29th, 2024