National Police Dog Foundation Launches K9 Memorial Applications

CAMARILLO, CA, UNITED STATES, October 7, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The National Police Dog Foundation has officially launched its applications for a national memorial to honor law enforcement K9s who have died in the line of duty. The organization announced today that it is accepting applications for the memorial, which will provide lasting national recognition for K9s who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. Applications are now open at the K9 Line of Duty Form, where agencies and handlers can submit their K9s for consideration.

Each application is individually reviewed by the Foundation's K9 Line of Duty Committee to ensure consistent application of memorial criteria. To be considered, a submission must meet the following criteria: the K9 was employed by a recognized municipal, county, state, tribal, or federal law enforcement agency, and its death resulted directly from official law enforcement duties, including apprehension, tracking, area searches, detection work, search and rescue, tactical operations, patrol deployment, officer protection, agency-authorized training, operational vehicle crashes, environmental hazards, or criminal assault. In cases of delayed line-of-duty deaths, veterinary documentation confirming the death resulted from injuries sustained in the line of duty is also acceptable.

Agencies are asked to submit supporting documentation, including agency and handler information, K9 service history, incident details, cause of death, and photographs, for review by the Committee. Submission of an application does not guarantee inclusion; the Committee evaluates every case individually and may request additional documentation before making a final determination. Applications are accepted for K9s who died in the line of duty in any year, and every approved K9 is added to the Foundation's growing digital tribute display, ensuring their service and sacrifice are permanently preserved as part of the national historical record.

The inaugural cycle of submissions involving 2025 line-of-duty deaths will be reviewed and processed first. Each year's National Police K9 Memorial Service honors K9s who died in the line of duty during the calendar year immediately preceding that service. K9s killed in the line of duty in 2026 will be approved through this year's submission process and formally honored at the 2027 National Police K9 Memorial Service, held during National Police Week in Washington, DC. The annual service brings together handlers, agencies, dignitaries, and supporters from across the country to pay tribute to the K9s who gave their lives in service to their communities. In addition to the memorial service, the names of each year's honored K9s are etched onto an annual plaque added to the Foundation's digital tribute display at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC.

The National Police Dog Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization's tax identification number is 77-0496014. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. Visit us on social media: Instagram, Facebook.