Five new K-9 officers are now ready for duty, and three of them have been named to honor Maryland State Police troopers who died in the line of duty.
After 26 weeks of training, these dogs are ready to report and be used for drug detection and patrol/utility work.
K-9 Plank is a German Shepherd and is paired with Cpl. Dana Orndorff. Trooper First Class Edward Plank was killed on October 17, 1995, when he was shot by a drug courier during a traffic stop on US Route 13 in Princess Anne. K-9 Plank and Cpl. Orndorff will be assigned to the Berlin Barrack.
K-9 Hunter is a Belgian Malinois and is paired with Trooper Shawn Brown. Trooper First Class Shaft Hunter was killed on May 21, 2011, when his patrol car collided with a tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder of I-95 in Howard County. It was believed he was pursuing a speeding motorcycle when the crash happened. K-9 Hunter and TFC Brown will be assigned to the Westminster Barrack.
K-9 Wade is a German Shepherd and is paired with Trooper First Class Kyle Morrison. Trooper Gary Wade was killed while taking enforcement action for a traffic violation on Jan. 30, 1982. Wade was only 25-years-old when he was hit and killed by a motorist who ran off the roadway, striking the police vehicle, the violator's vehicle, the trooper, and the violator. The crash occurred on the JFK Memorial Highway near Havre de Grace. K-9 Wade and TFC Morrison are assigned to the North East Barrack, the same barrack where Trooper Wade served.
Officials have not released the names of the other two K-9s.
