Latest news with #Righini
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds expected at funeral for beloved K9 shot and killed during standoff in Maine
Hundreds of law enforcement officers are expected to attend the funeral on Wednesday for Preacher, a beloved K9 that was shot and killed during a recent standoff in Maine. 'We will come together to honor the life and service of K9 Preacher, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,' state police said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon. The funeral will be held at The Point in South Portland at 11 a.m. 'where hundreds of law enforcement officers from across New England will pay their respects to K9 Preacher, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, his family, the Maine State Police K9 Unit, and Tactical Team,' state police said. The Point is livestreaming the services. The public is invited to watch the service by clicking this link. Last week, on Feb. 3, law enforcement shot a man to death after he opened fire on police, wounding an officer and killing Preacher, the K9, during an hourslong standoff in Portage Lake. Troopers and Aroostook County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of a domestic dispute with a woman at 20 Ranger St. in Portage Lake. Steven Righini, 29, was inside the home with their 4-week-old infant, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety. The woman, who called 911 and escaped the home before police arrived, told troopers and deputies that Righini had been fighting with her and pushed her into the wall. When troopers and deputies persuaded Righini to come outside, a struggle ensued. He allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at officers as he retreated back inside, authorities said. Authorities said Righini then grabbed another firearm and fired at a retreating cruiser, striking Deputy Shane Campbell in the shoulder. Deputy Reid Clark returned fire, prompting a standoff that spanned 'several hours.' Righini refused to surrender and eventually tried to flee the residence in a vehicle, but state police said a tactical team disabled his car. He then allegedly took off on foot, shooting and killing Preacher, the state police K9, while trying to escape. Righini was then shot after he pointed his gun at Troopers Andrew Hardy and Jonathan Russell just before 8 p.m. Authorities said Righini was pronounced dead at the scene. Campbell was taken to Northern Light Hospital in Presque Isle for treatment and was later released. K9 Preacher, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, suffered serious injuries and was taken to an emergency vet for surgery, where he died early Tuesday morning, Maine State Police Colonel William Ross said. 'Preacher was more than just a working dog -- he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero,' Ross said in a statement. 'Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm.' The infant child was not injured and was returned to her mother. Deputy Clark, Trooper Hardy, and Trooper Russell were placed on administrative leave as is standard protocol while the Office of the Attorney General investigates the use of deadly force in the police-involved shooting, according to state police. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
Police K-9 and suspect killed during standoff in Maine
A police K-9 was killed and an officer was wounded during an armed standoff in Maine, officials said Tuesday. The suspect was also killed. The standoff began on Monday night. Maine State Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic violence report at a home in Portage Lake, Maine, CBS affiliate WGME reported. The dispute was between a woman, who has not been identified, and 29-year-old Steven Righini. The woman told police Righini had been fighting with her and pushed her into a wall, WGME said. When police arrived, the woman was outside, and Righini was indoors with the couple's four-week-old infant, WGME reported. Officers attempted to take Righini into custody, but he resisted, WGME reported. He then pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at the officers as he ran back into the home. One officer, Deputy Shane Campbell, was shot in the shoulder, WGME reported. Righini then grabbed another firearm and fired at police cruisers as they tried to back out of the driveway, WGME said. Another officer, identified as Deputy Reid Clark, shot at Righini. Police then spent several hours trying to negotiate with Righini. He refused to surrender, WGME said, and eventually tried to flee the scene in a vehicle. The vehicle was disabled by police. Righini then ran away from the scene. The K-9, who police said was a four-year-old Belgian Malinois named Preacher, was then deployed to apprehend Reghini, state police said. Reghini fired at the dog, who was struck in the abdomen. Reghini then pointed his gun at troopers, before he was shot by two other officers, identified by WGME as troopers Andrew Hardy and Jonathan Russell. Russell was Preacher's handler, the Maine State Police said. Reghini was pronounced dead at the scene. The infant child was returned to the mother safely. Campbell, the officer shot in the shoulder, was transported to and treated at an area hospital. Preacher was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic, where he was stabilized for several hours before he "succumbed to his injuries" early Tuesday morning, police said. Russell and other tactical team members were there when the K-9 died, police said. "K-9 Preacher was more than just a working dog—he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero," said Maine State Police Colonel William G. Ross. "Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm." Details on Chinese retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products set to take effect next week Sneak peek: Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind Egypt, Saudi Arabia reject Trump's Gaza plan
CBS News
05-02-2025
- CBS News
Police K-9 and suspect killed, deputy wounded during standoff in Maine; baby rescued
A police K-9 was killed and an officer was wounded during an armed standoff in Maine, officials said Tuesday. The suspect was also killed. The standoff began on Monday night. Maine State Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic violence report at a home in Portage Lake, Maine, CBS affiliate WGME reported. The dispute was between a woman, who has not been identified, and 29-year-old Steven Righini. The woman told police Righini had been fighting with her and pushed her into a wall, WGME said. When police arrived, the woman was outside, and Righini was indoors with the couple's four-week-old infant, WGME reported. Officers attempted to take Righini into custody, but he resisted, WGME reported. He then pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at the officers as he ran back into the home. One officer, Deputy Shane Campbell, was shot in the shoulder, WGME reported. Righini then grabbed another firearm and fired at police cruisers as they tried to back out of the driveway, WGME said. Another officer, identified as Deputy Reid Clark, shot at Righini. Police then spent several hours trying to negotiate with Righini. He refused to surrender, WGME said, and eventually tried to flee the scene in a vehicle. The vehicle was disabled by police. Righini then ran away from the scene. The K-9, who police said was a four-year-old Belgian Malinois named Preacher, was then deployed to apprehend Reghini, state police said. Reghini fired at the dog, who was struck in the abdomen. Reghini then pointed his gun at troopers, before he was shot by two other officers, identified by WGME as troopers Andrew Hardy and Jonathan Russell. Russell was Preacher's handler, the Maine State Police said. Reghini was pronounced dead at the scene. The infant child was returned to the mother safely. Campbell, the officer shot in the shoulder, was transported to and treated at an area hospital. Preacher was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic, where he was stabilized for several hours before he "succumbed to his injuries" early Tuesday morning, police said. Russell and other tactical team members were there when the K-9 died, police said. "K-9 Preacher was more than just a working dog—he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero," said Maine State Police Colonel William G. Ross. "Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm."
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
'Profound reminder' of courage: Maine police K-9 shot, killed in the line of duty
A Maine man was killed by authorities after fatally shooting a Maine State Police (MSP) K-9 named "Preacher" in the line of duty. The 4-year-old Belgian Malinois was killed on Monday during a tactical team operation in Portage. Preacher and his handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, were deployed to a domestic dispute that led to an armed standoff involving 29-year-old Steven Righini, who shot an Aroostook deputy, according to a statement from MSP. Pennsylvania K-9 Who Helped Catch Convicted Murderer Retires After Eight Years Of Service: 'He Loved To Work' The standoff lasted several hours before Righini attempted to flee the home around 8 p.m., according to the statement. Officials said Preacher was shot in the abdomen after being deployed to apprehend Righini. Read On The Fox News App Following the shooting, Righini was engaged by Sgt. Russell and specialist Andrew Hardy, who returned fire, according to MSP. Righini was pronounced dead at the scene. Preacher was immediately rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Presque Isle, where he underwent surgery, according to authorities. Despite the efforts of veterinary staff, he died early Tuesday. He was surrounded by Russell and several members of the tactical team when he passed, MSP wrote. "K-9 Preacher was more than just a working dog—he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero," said MSP Col. William Ross. "Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm." Michigan K-9's Mugshot Goes Viral After Police Accuse Pup Of Stealing Officer's Lunch Russell and Preacher attended the MSP K-9 Patrol School in Fall 2023, where they became a certified patrol team, according to the statement. The pair served the greater Southern Field Troop area and the MSP Tactical Team. "The Maine State Police extends its heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Jonathan Russell and the entire K-9 Unit," MSP wrote. "The loss of Preacher is a profound reminder of the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers and their K-9 partners."Original article source: 'Profound reminder' of courage: Maine police K-9 shot, killed in the line of duty
Fox News
05-02-2025
- Fox News
'Profound reminder' of courage: Maine police K-9 shot, killed in the line of duty
A Maine man was killed by authorities after fatally shooting a Maine State Police (MSP) K-9 named "Preacher" in the line of duty. The 4-year-old Belgian Malinois was killed on Monday during a tactical team operation in Portage. Preacher and his handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, were deployed to a domestic dispute that led to an armed standoff involving 29-year-old Steven Righini, who shot an Aroostook deputy, according to a statement from MSP. The standoff lasted several hours before Righini attempted to flee the home around 8 p.m., according to the statement. Officials said Preacher was shot in the abdomen after being deployed to apprehend Righini. Following the shooting, Righini was engaged by Sgt. Russell and specialist Andrew Hardy, who returned fire, according to MSP. Righini was pronounced dead at the scene. Preacher was immediately rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Presque Isle, where he underwent surgery, according to authorities. Despite the efforts of veterinary staff, he died early Tuesday. He was surrounded by Russell and several members of the tactical team when he passed, MSP wrote. "K-9 Preacher was more than just a working dog—he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero," said MSP Col. William Ross. "Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm." Russell and Preacher attended the MSP K-9 Patrol School in Fall 2023, where they became a certified patrol team, according to the statement. The pair served the greater Southern Field Troop area and the MSP Tactical Team. "The Maine State Police extends its heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Jonathan Russell and the entire K-9 Unit," MSP wrote. "The loss of Preacher is a profound reminder of the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers and their K-9 partners."
