The Yakima Police Department issued a news release this afternoon about the death of a member of one of the force's canines: "It is with great sadness the Yakima Police Department announces that retired YPD K-9 Dexter passed away on November 9, 2018 at the age of 10 from complications of illness.

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."

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