K-9 Tambo

Program Member #203

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of our 203rd Program Member, K-9 “Tambo.” Tambo honorably served as an Explosives Detection Federal Police K-9 within the Department of Defense Intelligence Community, and he spent over four years as an integral part of our Pack!

K-9 Tambo faithfully served the Department of Defense mission since 2014. For over seven years, he provided critical Explosives Detection K-9 expertise in support of National Security. K-9 Tambo searched over 10,000 vehicles and completed over 500 calls for service.

K-9 Tambo provided support to the 2017 Inauguration for the President of the United States. Additionally, he provided explosives detection support for state and local Police Departments throughout the greater Washington D.C. area. K-9 Tambo has also secured the public at various sporting events in places like Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, and the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium.

In the last four years, PK9H paid several major medical bills for Tambo, which included a double TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery, plus all of his treatments for the cancer he battled so bravely. The cost totalled well over $30,000 all together, and our nonprofit was able to cover 100% of it because of our amazing donors.

We will ensure that this Hero, is Never Forgotten!

May 24th, 2014 - September 4th, 2026

K-9 Lena

Program Member #333

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of our 333rd Program Member, K-9 “Lena,” due to medical complications from her in the line of duty injuries after being in our pack for a year and a half. Lena honorably served as a Patrol Apprehension/Narcotics Detection Police K-9 at the Granville County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.

An unfortunate accident that occured to her on-duty left her completely blind and with a significant jaw injury. Lena was medically retired after this incident, just after one year of service to her community.

K-9 Lena was a three year old female German Shepherd that did an exceptional job of keeping citizens safe from dangerous criminals and drugs. Throughout her short career, K-9 Lena was deployed to locate and keep illegal narcotics off the streets, and she successfully tracked the location of a wanted armed robbery suspect in a significant felony investigation.

K-9 Lena was left with a list of medical issues that were no longer covered now that she has been medically retired, causing an extreme financial hardship on her Handler, who was still serving as a deputy, and has two young children at home. K-9 Lena was in immediate need of an MRI to determine the exent of injury to her jaw and orbital sockets, which required an extremely expensive surgery. We at Project K-9 Hero were grateful to be able to cover this Hero for her family.

Please take a moment to pay tribute to and remember K-9 Lena for the Hero that she was. We at PK9H were honored to be protecting her after all she has done for her community, the State of North Carolina, and the United States of America!

December 5th, 2022 - September 5th, 2026

K-9 Tika

Program Member #293

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of our 293rd Program Member, K-9 Tika, from medical complications. K-9 Tika bravely served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9, from 2013 through 2017, with the Richland County Sheriff's Department in Columbia, South Carolina.

During her four years of service, Tika was an outstanding Police K-9 who served with a great amount of valor and heroism, taking countless amounts of illegal narcotics off the streets. She was also well known for her ability to track down dangerous criminals throughout the region. Since her retirement, Tika had various medical issues, which we were honored to cover at 100% for the last two plus years.

While in our program, Project K-9 Hero without hesitation paid for $31,512.70 in medical bills for Tika and her Handler, allowing them many more months together that they never would have gotten.

Please take a moment to remember this amazing Hero. We will ensure that K-9 Tika is Never Forgotten!

July 19th, 2012 - September 18th, 2026

RMWD Laco (X000)

Program Member #367

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #367, retired U.S. Army Military Working Dog “Laco” (X000), from health complications. MWD Laco was medically retired from the U.S. Army due to a severe diagnosed case of hip displasia, after eight years of honorable and distinguished service as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Explosives Detection Dog at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

MWD Laco completed two deployments overseas in his career, one to Egypt, and one to Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He also participated in over 50 United States Secret Service missions providing Explosive Detection capabilities for VIP’s to include POTUS, VPOTUS, FLOTUS, and various high ranking military officials.

MWD Laco also provided assistance during five real world bomb threat situations in garrison, for both on-base and civilian law enforcement agencies off post. His service and dedication to the United States never went unnoticed. He officially retired in January of 2023, where he spent the last 3 1/2 years with his last handler in San Diego, CA. His days consisted of relaxing on the couch, walks around the park, and endless amount of treats.

Project K-9 Hero was honored to provide medical care for this Hero at 100% for the remainder of his life, including his necessary prescriptions, supplements, diagnostic testing, office visits, prescription food, and any needed surgeries! It was the least we could do after all Laco has done for our nation!

Please take a moment to remember and pay tribute to MWD Laco. It was an honor to serve you!

October 1st, 2013 - September 28th, 2026