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Newport News police mourning loss of K-9 Duke
Newport News police are mourning the loss of one of the department’s K-9 officers. K-9 Duke died after a sudden medical emergency Wednesday, Chief Richards Myers said at a press briefing Thursday morning. The Bloodhound was adopted from the Animal Aid Society in Grafton in October 2013. He specialized in tracking missing people, Myers said. Police aren’t exactly sure how old Duke was, but think he was about 8 or 9 years old. Duke loved meeting people, especially children. “His greatest joy was public demonstrations,” Myers said. Duke and his partner, Master Police Officer N. Stewart, assisted in many searches and trained together weekly. Myers said the loss is especially difficult for Stewart and other members of the K-9 unit. “They’re all struggling today for this unexpected loss,” he said. Officials are not sure if they will hold a memorial service for Duke, spokeswoman Jamie Bastas said in a news release. “We are still adjusting to his sudden passing and hope to make a decision on that in the coming days,” she said. “In the meantime, we ask that you please keep his partner, Master Police Officer Stewart and the Stewart family in your thoughts, as well as the entire Newport News Police K-9 Unit.”
