Mac

Incident

K-9 Mac, a two-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois and narcotics detection dog, was found dead in his sleep at the home of his handler, Officer Justin Ellison. Mac had no known health issues prior to his death.

Mac joined the department in September 2025 and earned full certification through the National Police Canine Association by December. In that short time, he logged 45 deployments, helping seize roughly 14 pounds of fentanyl, five pounds of methamphetamine, and several firearms tied to drug arrests. He also supported patrol and SWAT operations for multiple agencies in the region.

Mac's body was sent to the University of Arizona for an autopsy. The department says there is no indication of anything suspicious.

Sources: KYCA News, Apr 21 and Apr 24, 2026.