Santa Monica Fire Peer Support K-9 Roger Dies Following Brief Retirement

SANTA MONICA, CA — Roger, the Santa Monica Fire Department’s first-ever Peer Support K-9, who recently retired due to declining health, has died.

The City of Santa Monica announced the news about the English Labrador on March 21.

Roger had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer affecting his spinal cord, resulting in a loss of motor function and increasing discomfort.

Multiple veterinary specialists confirmed the illness had been progressing for several months before becoming evident, according to the City.

"Keeping Roger’s comfort and dignity as the top priority, his veterinary care team, handler and the department made the difficult decision to officially retire him from service," a city spokesperson said. "On Friday, March 20, Roger was humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering."

Roger served as the department’s first Peer Support K-9, providing comfort, stability, and companionship to personnel during both daily operations and critical incidents.

During his tenure, he helped support the mental wellness of department members, city employees and the Santa Monica community, while also strengthening the department’s peer support efforts, city officials said.

“Being Roger’s handler has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my career,” SMFD Captain Michael Rivera said. “I had the opportunity to see firsthand the difference he made—not just in the big moments, but in the quiet ones when someone needed him the most.”

The City has said that Roger’s legacy will continue through the Roger Peer Support Memorial Fund, which will support future K-9 peer support dogs in the department.

Information about Roger’s memorial fund is available here.