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Handler – Sgt. Trevor Morrison
Baco, beloved Salem police dog once shot in the line of duty, dies
Salem police Sgt. Trevor Morrison remembers the day his K-9 dog Baco was shot by a man barricaded inside a bus in a Walmart parking lot. “As a handler, you always know it’s a possibility,” Morrison said. On the morning of April 24, 2015, officers approached a bus occupied by Mark Cecil Hawkins, 49, parked outside the Walmart store on Turner Road. Hawkins, who was wanted on several arrest warrants, barricaded himself in the vehicle. A seven-hour standoff and shootout ensued. Baco, a patrol and SWAT team K-9, and Morrison responded to the scene. Hundreds of employees and customers at the nearby shopping center were evacuated or sheltered in place. Repeated shots rang out. When Baco was sent in to apprehend the suspect, Hawkins shot the dog in the face. Morrison remembered Baco running back to him bleeding and realizing the dog had been shot. He scooped the German shepherd into a patrol vehicle and rushed him to a veterinarian. During the standoff, a SWAT officer narrowly avoided serious injury after one of Hawkins’ rounds lodged in his scope. Multiple rounds of gunfire were exchanged over the course of several hours. The standoff ended with Hawkins being shot and killed by police. A Marion County grand jury cleared the officers of the shooting, deeming it legal and necessary. Gunman dies after police shootout in Walmart parking lot. Hours later, a co-worker approached Morrison with good news — Baco was going to be OK — but they needed him to hurry back to the vet to help calm him down. News of Baco’s injury spread quickly. Social media inboxes flooded with questions about his well-being. Well-wishers sent dog treats and gift baskets to the police station. Baco was back on duty in less than two weeks, waiting long enough for his stitches to heal.He was a tough old dog but a sweetheart, Morrison said. At 13 and in retirement, Baco was showing his age, and, after an injury, was euthanized last month. Morrison and Baco had worked together since 2013, training first in California and then in Oregon. News of Baco’s injury spread quickly. Social media inboxes flooded with questions about his well-being. Well-wishers sent dog treats and gift baskets to the police station. Baco was back on duty in less than two weeks, waiting long enough for his stitches to heal. He was a tough old dog but a sweetheart, Morrison said.At 13 and in retirement, Baco was showing his age, and, after an injury, was euthanized last month.Morrison and Baco had worked together since 2013, training first in California and then in Oregon. During his career, Baco was deployed more than 600 times and had nearly 300 captures. He was a popular guest at public demonstrations and community events. Morrison said Baco could readily identify the photographer in the crowd and pose upon hearing the word “smile.”Salem police and the Oregon Peace Officers Association honored Baco with a Medal of Valor for his service in 2015. Two years later, after injuring his leg during a search, Baco retired. He lived out his retirement with his handler and his family, being doted on by Morrison’s four daughters and roaming the 20 acres surrounding his rural property.Morrison said Baco started every morning with a swim in the pond with the family’s ducks and amassed a sizable pile of sticks. “He just got to be a dog,” he added. Baco was showing his age but remained energetic and affectionate. When Morrison got home from work one day in mid-June, he was concerned when Baco didn’t rush over for a pat on the head. He looked for him near the pond and found him injured and stuck in a fence at the bottom of a steep hill. Due to Baco’s age and the extent of his injuries, Morrison and his family said their goodbyes and Baco was euthanized. Morrison remembered Baco as a hardworking K-9 who always wanted a job to do and was full of energy. During one demonstration, Morrison said he forgot to pay attention as Baco did a routine.The German shepherd jumped and spun in the air, knocking Morrison to the ground. Morrison looked up to see Baco’s concerned face hovering over him. The dog apologized by licking his cheek.Baco was a beloved fixture at the department and remained popular during his retirement.Many officers and staff would check in regularly on him, Morrison said, adding, “He will be missed.”
