Worthy of a Hero: Memorial to Fallen K-9 Frankie Unveiled by State Police at Ceremony

Framingham — Frankie, a police dog killed during an arrest attempt three years ago in Fitchburg, has been immortalized in bronze for his bravery, service to the people of the commonwealth and dedication to the Massachusetts State Police. Frankie, a nine-year veteran of the State Police and member of the Special Tactical Operations Team, is the first and only line-of-duty death of a state police dog.

Frankie's shooting and subsequent emergency transport was the commonwealth's first use of Nero's Law since Gov. Charlie Baker signed it into law in April 2022. This law was enacted in response to the death of K-9 Nero, whose partner, Yarmouth Police Sgt. Shawn Gannon, 32, was also killed on April 12, 2018, in the line of duty.

This memorial provides an important, dedicated space to celebrate the life of K-9 Frankie and reflect on the enormous contributions of K-9s and their handlers to the mission of the State Police," said Col. Geoffrey Noble during the dedication ceremony on Sunday, July 27, a day after the three-year anniversary of Frankie's death. "Its presence on our Framingham campus fulfills our collective promise to remember and honor the fallen heroes among us — both in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy and in the years that follow to ensure we never forget their service.

Located to the left of the main entrance to the Massachusetts State Police general headquarters in Framingham, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Police K-9 Memorial features a life-size bronze statue of the fallen, four-legged officer standing proudly atop a granite base adorned with a nameplate that reads "FRANKIE."

On a plaque, the inscription reads, "The Heart of a Hero," followed by "My eyes are your eyes, / to watch and protect you and yours / My ears are your ears. / to hear and detect evil minds in the dark / My nose is your nose, / to scent the invader of your domain / And so that you may live, / my life is also yours."

Shortly after the memorial's unveiling, a Frankie admirer placed an orange and blue chew toy with the inscription "Frankie EOW (End Of Watch) 7-26-22" at the base of the statue.

On July 26, 2022, the highly decorated state police K-9 was shot and killed during an attempted arrest and subsequent standoff in downtown Fitchburg.

Frankie, a Belgian Malinois who was one month short of his 11th birthday at the time of his death, was shot around 2:48 p.m. that day by 38-year-old Matthew Mack from Fitchburg.

Troopers were attempting to arrest Mack on a warrant related to a July 21, 2022, shooting in the city.

Neither Frankie's handler, Trooper Sgt. David Stucenski, nor any other officers at the scene were injured during the July 26, 2002, incident.

Frankie had every trait you seek in a good law enforcement officer, canine or human - intelligence, courage and dedication to protecting the public," State Police Col. Christopher Mason told reporters on July 26, 2022. "He was as loyal a partner as any trooper ever had.

About 9 a.m. July 26, 2022, members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and Fitchburg Police identified the location of Mack.

Troopers made contact with Mack around 11 a.m. inside a three-decker at 40 Oliver St., but Mack "refused to exit" and barricaded himself inside.

Negotiators spoke several times with Mack in the early afternoon. When the police saw Mack at the rear exit of the top floor, the decision was made to arrest him.

During the attempt to apprehend him, Mack fired multiple shots at team members and hit Frankie," Mason said three years ago. "The suspect then retreated back into the residence.

Three years ago, Mason said that Frankie was shot in an area that would not have been protected by a tactical vest worn by some canines.

Frankie was transported by ambulance to Wachusett Animal Hospital in Westminster, where the police dog was pronounced dead.

Prior to Nero's Law, EMS personnel were not permitted to provide care or transport for police dogs. The law allows emergency medical personnel to offer emergency treatment and transport of canine partners, including first aid, CPR and lifesaving efforts.

The standoff occurred in a densely populated neighborhood in downtown Fitchburg, a couple of blocks from the Fitchburg branch of the YMCA and Fitchburg District Court. Police closed streets in a one- to two-block area around the scene, which in the middle to late afternoon was punctuated by the sound of pepper balls fired by police from a nearby parking lot into the top floor of 40 Oliver St.

During their partnership, Frankie and Stucenski were awarded the Medal of Valor in 2017 at the annual George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery, the state's top law enforcement award ceremony, for apprehending a hit-and-run suspect who turned and fired at them during a foot chase on a street in Springfield. Stucenski and Frankie also won the state police Medal of Merit for that incident.

In 2014, the duo won three awards from the United States Police Canine Association for evidence recovery, agility and other law enforcement skills.

And in 2022, state police honored Stucenski, Frankie and other members of the department's Special Tactical Operations Team for the 2019 arrest of an armed child pornography suspect who opened fire on them when they went to apprehend him at a West Springfield motel.

The monument in Framingham was fully funded by an anonymous donor through the State Police Association of Massachusetts' Benevolent Fund.

We are forever thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women of the State Police and their animal partners," said Brian Williams, President of the State Police Association of Massachusetts. "This memorial ensures that K-9 Frankie's sacrifice will always be remembered and honored and will never be forgotten.

Frankie was honored as part of the 2023 National K-9 Memorial Commemoration in Washington, D.C.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worthy of a hero: Memorial to fallen K-9 Frankie unveiled by state police at ceremony