NITRO, W.Va. — The state Division of Natural Resources is mourning the death of a West Virginia K-9 officer.
District 5 K-9 Maze “experienced a tragic incident” and died in a training exercise Thursday, according to a Facebook post by DNR Police.
K-9 Maze joined the force in Dec. 2022, and served by searching articles, tracking and detecting wildlife.
The social media post praised K-9 Maze for her “outstanding and talented” work to serve the citizens of West Virginia.
“We will forever be grateful for her service and the work she performed in keeping West Virginia and her fellow Officers safe and her loyalty and dedication in serving the Natural Resources Police and the citizens of our state,” the post said.
DNR Police Officer Cody Smith was Maze’s handler.
The Cooke Funeral Home in Nitro is assisting with final arrangements.