Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across New England are expected to attend the funeral Wednesday for K-9 Preacher, who was shot and later died after a standoff last week in Portage.
Officers say Preacher was shot in the abdomen while being sent to apprehend the suspect in the standoff.
They say the dog was immediately rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Presque Isle for surgery but died in the overnight hours after the standoff.
He was surrounded by his handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, and several members of the State Police tactical team when he passed away.
Preacher was a two-year-old Belgian Malinois.
His funeral is being held at The Point Community Center in South Portland at 11 a.m. Wednesday
“Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across New England will pay their respects to K9 Preacher, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, his family, the Maine State Police K9 Unit, and Tactical Team.” Maine State Police said in a statement Tuesday.
A funeral procession will start at 10:15 am and run from I-95 into South Portland near the Maine Mall before ending at The Point on Clarks Pond Parkway.
Sgt. Russell is one of three officers who are currently on administrative leave from a shooting during the standoff which killed the suspect, 29-year-old Steven Righini.
As it unfolded, Maine State Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office say they were called to 20 Ranger Street in Portage for a report of a domestic dispute between a woman and Righini.
They say the woman was out of the house when they arrived, and Righini was inside with their 4-week-old infant.
Troopers and Deputies say they communicated with Mr. Righini through a window and on the telephone and persuaded him to come outside but were not able to take him into custody.
They say a struggle followed and Righini pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at the officers as he retreated into his residence.
As the Deputies and Troopers attempted to back out of the driveway, they say Righini grabbed another gun and fired at then, hitting Deputy Shane Campbell in the shoulder.
Officers say Deputy Reid Clark then shot at Mr. Righini, a sequence which was followed by several hours of attempted negotiations.
They say Righini refused to surrender and eventually tried to flee the residence in a vehicle, but Maine State Police Tactical Team members disabled his vehicle, and he fled on foot.
Officers say Righini fired a shot at a State Police K-9 and wounded the dog at about 8 p.m. before pointing a gun at troopers.
They say troopers Andrew Hardy and Jonathan Russell then shot Mr. Righini, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The infant child was not injured and was returned to her mother.
K-9 Preacher was taken to an emergency vet and went through surgery with serious injuries.
Deputy Reid Clark, Trooper Andrew Hardy and Trooper Jonathan Russell are all being placed on administrative leave as is standard protocol while the Attorney General’s Office investigates the use of deadly force in the police involved shooting.
Deputy Shane Campbell was transported to Northern Light hospital in Presque Isle for treatment and was later released.
