Community
Massachusetts Department of Correction suffers 3 major losses in less than 2 weeks
It has been a difficult couple of weeks for the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
MDOC has announced the passing of retired K9 Dodo. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his handler, Sergeant Todd Lavigne, and their family.
K9 Dodo honorably served the department from April 2014 to September 2020. During his distinguished career, he was an integral member of the Special Operations Unit and participated in numerous critical incidents and multi-agency response operations. Dual-trained in patrol and narcotics detection, K9 Dodo provided invaluable support to several regional drug task forces and routinely conducted searches within Department of Correction facilities.
K9 Dodo responded to dozens of mutual aid requests across the Commonwealth, assisting local and state law enforcement agencies in the apprehension of fugitives and the recovery of missing persons. He was especially well-known for his exceptional tracking ability and his calm, steady demeanor in high-stress environments.
Among his many accomplishments, K9 Dodo was responsible for locating over a dozen individuals who eloped from MASAC Plymouth, reflecting both his skill and dedication to public safety.
MDOC has suffered two other recent losses.
On Friday, a MDOC employee was found shot to death.
Services have yet to be announced.
