Ranger: The Story Of Forest Lake PD's K9

On May 15, 2006, Officer Nicholas (Nick) Kent was hired by the Forest Lake Police Department and was assigned as a patrol officer. In late 2009, the Forest Lake City Council, with the support and assistance of the community, approved the purchase of a police K9 for the Forest Lake Police Department.

In January of 2010, a German Shepherd dog was purchased from a law enforcement breeder in the Czech Republic to be delivered in March of 2010 to the Forest Lake Police Department.

Upon the arrival to Minnesota, the dog was picked up from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by his newly selected K9 Handler, Officer Nick Kent.

Officer Kent collaborated with the Forest Lake community to decide on a name. Ultimately, the decision, with the community’s input, was to name the K9, “Ranger," which is also the Forest Lake Area School District mascot’s name.

Officer Kent and Ranger began their extensive three month training course, and at the end of their training, advanced as Patrol Dog 1 Team by the United States Police Canine Association standards. Officer Nick Kent and Ranger served the citizens and community of Forest Lake proudly ever since.

On Feb. 7, 2017 at about 11:34 p.m., Forest Lake police officers were called to assist the Minnesota State Patrol on a pursuit that ended at a dead-end road in Forest Lake.

Two suspects were in the vehicle. The male passenger was taken into custody without incident, while the male driver was resistant to give himself up and attempted to flee once again.

Ranger was deployed to assist with the apprehension of the male driver, who was eventually taken into custody. Ranger was then placed back into his K9 Squad after the apprehension.

A short time later, K9 Officer Kent checked on Ranger, finding him unresponsive.

Ranger was then rushed to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Clinic where efforts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead.

"We thank K-9 Officer Nick Kent and his partner K-9 “Ranger” for their distinguished seven years of service to the City of Forest Lake," police said in a news release. "He will always be remembered fondly by the thousands of kids and citizens whose lives he touched over the years at numerous demonstrations, events, and tours, while feared by those who made the mistake of committing a criminal act."

University of Minnesota veterinary staff conducted an autopsy and the preliminary report indicates cause of death to be a cardiac event.

MN Police Clips posted audio of the dog’s final call: "Final call for police service dog Ranger. End of watch, Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 038 hours. Thank you for your seven years of service, and may you rest in peace."

Image via Forest Lake Police Department