Source: Island News
Hawaii Police Department K9 Archer, a six-and-a-half-year-old narcotics detection dog, tragically died after being left in a police vehicle for an “unacceptable” amount of time while his handler was on duty at the station. Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna called the incident a “preventable mistake,” emphasizing that canines depend on their handlers for care. Archer, who joined the force in 2021, worked with Officer Sidra Brown (the department’s only female K9 handler) on numerous drug operations, including efforts against fentanyl.
His loss was described as devastating to the department, where K9s are regarded as fellow officers willing to put their lives on the line. Experts note that vehicles can become deadly within minutes, highlighting the broader risk of leaving animals unattended in cars. In response, the department is using the tragedy to raise public awareness about pet safety. Archer’s end of watch was September 4, marking a profound loss for the force.