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Who was Frankie, the K-9 hero? Sick anti-police trolls mar tributes to fallen officer

Free time and Godspeed, Frankie

FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS: A Massachusetts State Police dog called K-9 Frankie was fatally shot during a standoff in Fitchburg on Tuesday, July 26, afternoon. Frankie was a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois who served with the department for nine years. Frankie’s handler, Trooper David Stucenski, was not physically injured during the standoff.

"He was a beloved member of the Massachusetts State Police family as well as the Stucenski family," Massachusetts State Police​ stated in a statement shared by Colonel Christopher Mason. "Frankie is the first Massachusetts State Police canine killed in the line of duty. His sacrifice will never be forgotten," it added. "He was, as much as any other human member of the Department, one of us and a part of us," the statement further read. 

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The statement also revealed how the beloved canine was killed. According to the statement, shortly before 9 am on July 26, 2022, members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section was surveilling a three-story multi-family house at 40 Oliver St in Fitchburg, after finding out that fugitive suspect Matthew Mack, 38, was present there. Mack was wanted on warrants charging him with firearms offenses and accessory after the fact stemming from a shooting incident on July 21, 2022, in Fitchburg. 

According to Massachusetts State Police, when troopers approached Mack, he refused to leave the house. Negotiators spoke with Mack and members of his family several times in an attempt to encourage him to surrender quietly. When Mack arrived at a rear exit of the residence at about 2.48 pm, K-9 Frankie and his handler, Trooper David Stucenski, attempted to arrest him. Mack fired several shots at the officers, wounding Frankie. Mack then returned to the residence. Trooper Stucenski didn't sustain injuries. 

Troopers rescued Frankie and transported him to an ambulance. He was taken to Wachusett Animal Hospital in Westminster, where he was pronounced dead. The ambulance transport was the first instance of such emergency care made possible under Nero's Law.

Who was K-9 Frankie? 

K-9 Frankie was a highly distinguished Massachusetts State Police officer. In 2017, he and Sergeant Stucenski were awarded the Medal of Valor at the state's top law enforcement award ceremony, the George L Hanna Awards for Bravery. They were honored for apprehending a hit-and-run suspect who, during a foot chase, turned and fired a shot at Sergeant Stucenski and Frankie as they pursued him in Springfield. The shot missed the Sergeant and Frankie apprehended him. Sergeant Stucenski and Frankie won the State Police Medal of Merit for that same incident.

In 2014, the cop and K-9 duo won three awards from the United States Police Canine Association for evidence recovery, agility, and other law enforcement skills. In June 2022, the department honored Sergeant Stucenski and Frankie, and other members of the Special Tactical Operations Team for apprehending an armed child pornography suspect who had opened fire on them when they went to arrest him at a West Springfield motel in 2019.

A statement by the department read, "Frankie had every trait we seek in a good law enforcement officer, canine or human: intelligence, immense courage, and dedication to protecting the public. He was as loyal a partner as any Trooper ever had. He was a beloved member of the Massachusetts State Police family and the Stucenski family. He was, as much as any human of the member of the Department, one of us and part of us."

"When one of our K9s pass – until today, never in the line of duty – our K9 handlers have a saying. “Free Time.” It means that these brave dogs who work so hard to protect the rest of us have earned their eternal peace. Free time and Godspeed, Frankie," it further read.

Twitter users expressed their sorrow and mourned K-9 Frankie with tweets like, "I am so very sorry and so sad that Frankie was killed in the line of duty. My heart goes out to his human partner. RIP Frankie and thank you for your dedicated service and companionship." Another user tweeted, "Godspeed MSP K9 Frankie - Thank you for your service."

However, the wonderful tributes by the police officers to the fallen K-9 hero were marred by sick trolls who made a mockery of the canine's death. One troll commented: "How many innocents did he maul in his “career?” Did you put out any “our fee fees are hurt” for them? Y’all shoot dogs for being in their own yards and defending their own families but want us to boo hoo your war crime canine?" Another troll made a horrible allegation saying: "$100 says the cops shot him." Another snarkily remarked, "If only they gave the same rapid medical care to people shot by cops instead of just leaving them in the street." One troll wrote, "Maybe don't use animals who can't consent to the risk and this wouldn't happen. He didn't know what he was getting into and his death is on your hands."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.