Press Release  Massachusetts State Police Dedicates Memorial to K-9 Frankie at General Headquarters

Framingham — Last week, the Massachusetts State Police dedicated a new memorial at General Headquarters in honor of K-9 Frankie. A 9-year veteran of the State Police and member of the Special Tactical Operations Team, K-9 Frankie was killed in the line of duty during a 2022 hostile event response in Fitchburg. The incident forever changed the course of his life, his handler, family, loved ones, and colleagues on the State Police.

“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 Colonel Geoffrey Noble. “I would like to thank those who made this special project a reality. Its presence on our Framingham campus fulfills our collective promise to remember and honoring 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 prominently to the left of the main entrance to General Headquarters, the permanent memorial pays tribute to Frankie’s 9 years of service on the Massachusetts State Police. Using images and videos of K-9 Frankie throughout his career, skilled artisans in Utah crafted the life-size bronze figure standing atop a granite base. The project was fully funded by an anonymous donor through the State Police Association of Massachusetts’ Benevolent Fund.

“The Association is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Department in making the K9 Frankie memorial come to fruition. We are forever thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women of the State Police and their animal partners,” said State Police Association of Massachusetts President Brian Williams. “This memorial ensures that K9 Frankie's sacrifice will always be remembered and honored and will never be forgotten. We also thank K9 Frankie's handler, Sergeant David Stucenski, for his 25 years of service to the Massachusetts State Police and wish him and his family a healthy and happy retirement.”

In the course of their partnership, K-9 Frankie and his handler, Sergeant David Stucenski, achieved great things. They earned several recognitions, including the George L. Hanna Medal of Valor, the State Police Medal of Merit, and several awards from the United States Police Canine Association for evidence recovery, agility, and other law enforcement skills.

Each of their professional experiences prepared them for the morning of Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Shortly after 9 a.m., members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and Fitchburg Police identified the location of an armed fugitive suspect wanted in connection to a shooting incident a few days before. Over the course of the next several hours, State and Local Police, including the Special Tactical Operations Team (STOP) Team and Crisis Negotiation Unit used their training and skill to attempt to de-escalate the situation and persuade the man to surrender peacefully.

Despite the significant personal risk, K-9 Frankie and his handler, Sergeant Stucenski, pursued the suspect when Troopers observed him at a rear exit of the triple decker. That selfless decision – made in the service of others – changed their lives forever.

As they made their approach, the suspect fired at K-9 Frankie and Sergeant Stucenski before fleeing back inside the residence. STOP Team members immediately extricated Frankie from the scene and facilitated his transport via ambulance to Wachusett Animal Hospital in Westminster.

The transport was the first-of-its-kind made possible by Nero’s Law, which was became law the year before and allows emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to treat and transport injured police dogs. This law was enacted in response to the death of K-9 Nero, whose partner, Sergeant Shawn Gannon, was also killed in the line of duty. Prior to Nero’s Law, EMS personnel were not permitted to provide care or transport for police dogs.

Despite the extraordinary efforts, K-9 Frankie, a hero forever, did not survive.

Colonel Noble said at the dedication ceremony, “Despite the enormous loss, Troopers remained focused on the mission and continued outreach in an attempt to resolve the situation peacefully. Eventually, the Drone Unit made visual observations of the building where they captured images of the suspect deceased inside from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The poise and skill of everyone involved in that hostile situation is a testament to the strength and resolve of this Department.”

Frankie is the first and only State Police K-9 to be killed in the line of duty. He was honored as part of the 2023 National K-9 Memorial Commemoration in Washington, D.C.

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