Ryker

Incident

K9 Ryker was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while performing a canine track at the scene of an armed commercial robbery at 7:20 pm.

He and his handler had been called in after the robbery at 4010 Portland Avenue. K9 Ryker started a track that led him across Portland Avenue. As they crossed the street a sports car driving without headlights on entered the area at a high rate of speed and struck K9 Ryker, inflicting fatal injuries. The vehicle failed to stop and fled the area.

K9 Ryker's handler transported him to a local veterinary clinic where K9 Ryker died.

K9 Ryker had served with the Tacoma Police Department for one year and was the agency's first canine.