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...