Died – 2/19/22
Handler – Officer Dan Nelson
Salem police mourning death of retired K-9
We are saddened to announce the passing of one of our own, K9 Trigger, this past Saturday, just a day before his 13th birthday. K9 Trigger was partnered with Officer Nelson and the two were inseparable from day 1. Having graduated from the Boston Police K9 Patrol Academy in 2010, then shortly after that achieving Narcotic certification through Boston’s Narcotic Academy in 2011. K9 Trigger held several certifications throughout his illustrious career, to include a USPCA Narcotic Certification and a USPCA PD2 Tracking Certification. Trigger was responsible for getting a large amount of firearms and drugs off of the streets of not just Salem, but the State of NH and even surrounding states as well.I can recall a track I was on with Trigger involving a Domestic Violence Assault and Strangulation suspect. Trigger wasted no time in locating this dangerous felon within minutes in the woods behind a tree, where he was taken into custody without harm to any Officers. This was just one of many successful tracks. Not only did he get dangerous drugs, weapons and suspects off of the streets, he also was responsible for locating 2 elderly Alzheimer’s patients on 2 separate occasions. One of the patients was unconscious in the woods with a head injury and the other was lost during a snow storm. He undoubtedly saved their lives those days. Trigger retired in 2021, serving Salem for 11 years!!! He went on to live and relax with Officer Nelson and his family. He was extremely loyal to his handler, Officer Nelson, he loved to work, and he loved his family. Trigger will be missed by not only us, but also the people he has helped throughout the years. Rest easy, Trigger. RIP.