Yakima Police Department K-9 Dexter Passes Away

It is with great sadness the Yakima Police Department (“YPD”) announces that retired YPD K-9 Dexter passed away on November 9, 2018 at the age of ten from complications of illness.

K-9 Dexter served with his partner Officer Mark McKinney for seven years. K-9 Dexter, who was originally from Germany, joined the YPD in February 2012.  K-9 Dexter retired from active service in earlier this year.

During his service to the YPD and the Yakima community, K-9 Dexter was deployed approximately 300 times and was instrumental in apprehending suspects in about 100 of those incidents.

The YPD thanks and honors K-9 Dexter and Officer McKinney for their outstanding work during the seven years they partnered together. Officer McKinney continues to serve as a K-9 handler for the YPD.

Media is respectfully asked to not contact Officer McKinney for comment.  If media requires a comment on the passing of K-9 Dexter, please contact YPD Lieutenant Shawn Boyle at 728-4541.

Passing of YPD K-9 Dexter – News Release