Maine State Police K-9 Patrol School Graduates Honor Fallen K-9 Handler Andrew Griffith During Graduation Proceedings.

Photo Courtesy of the Maine State Police K9 Patrol School

The 30th K9 Patrol School graduates Friday June 12, 2015.
For their class picture the class chose to pay homage to Trooper Andrew (Drew) Griffith. Tpr. Griffith is the only active K9 handler to lose his life in the line of duty in the State Police. Drew’s memorial is located in picturesque St. George. The class also decided for their final workout to do it in honor of Trooper Griffith. They completed a 5k run with their partners, 100 burpees and a 400 meter canine carry.... This workout is now known as “The Drew” and will be done by all future classes as their rite of passage. 
 

L-R your Graduates are:
Officer Jamie Fanning & K9 Aki – Bangor PD
Trooper Barry Meserve & K9 Doyle – Troop E (Doyle was named in honor of former K9 trainer Trooper Doyle)
Trooper Jeffrey Taylor & K9 Oscar – Troop J
Corporal Seth Edwards – K9 trainer
Sergeant Scott Dalton & K9 Haro – Principal K9 trainer (Haro was named in honor of former Trooper Harold Erickson who left the State Police to fight in WWII where he lost his life.)
Trooper Adam Schmidt & K9 Ibo – Troop A (Trooper Schmidt has been on duty many hours in the Town of Lebanon)
Trooper Andrew Levesque & K9 Vitz – Troop F
Deputy Merl Reed & K9 Frankie – Waldo SO