K9 Tara – Arlington, Washington

Died – 10/17/24
Handler – Officer Kendahl Metcalfe

Arlington PD mourns the loss of beloved K9 Tara

It is with profound sadness that the Arlington Police Department announces the passing of retired Police Narcotics Detection Canine (K9) Tara. End of Watch (EOW): October 17, 2024. K9 Tara fought bravely against an aggressive form of cancer but passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving adopted family, including her former handler and lifelong partner, former APD Officer Kendahl Metcalfe. K9 Tara began her distinguished career in November of 2015, when she was sworn into service with the Arlington Police Department. She was initially partnered with Officer Molly Ingram and later reassigned to Officer Kendahl Beecher in May of 2018. Officer Beecher, who later married and was known as Officer Metcalfe, worked side-by-side with K9 Tara until February 2021, when she left the department to embark on a new chapter in her life. Together, they transitioned to a fulfilling life on a family farm, where Tara continued to enjoy her retirement, filled with love, care, and companionship. K9 Tara’s contributions to the Arlington community were invaluable. Over her 5 years of service, she played a critical role in countless narcotics-related operations, including drug detection, vehicle and location searches, and search warrant executions. Her dedication led to numerous successful drug-related arrests, directly contributing to the safety and well-being of our community. More than her accomplishments, K9 Tara will be remembered for her unwavering loyalty, her tenacity in the field, and her gentle, loving spirit off duty. She exemplified the bond between a police K9 and their handler—a partnership rooted in trust, bravery, and unconditional love. K9 Tara’s legacy will forever remain a part of the Arlington Police Department and the community she faithfully served. Her life was a testament to the extraordinary contributions of police K9s, and her memory will be cherished by those who knew her and those whose lives she touched.Our thoughts are with Kendahl Metcalfe and her family during this time of loss. Rest in peace, K9 Tara. You served with honor and devotion, and your impact will never be forgotten.“Faithful to the end.”

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Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.
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