Massachusetts State Police announce passing of K9 that served over 7 years for MSP

Massachusetts State Police have announced the passing of K9 Echo, the longtime partner of Lieutenant David Nims. Echo had just turned 10, and served the Massachusetts State Police K9 for 7 ½ years until her recent retirement, all of them spent working with Lieutenant Nims.

Echo first partnered with then-Trooper Nims in September 2014, beginning a long career in service to Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Her career ended only when Lieutenant Nims was promoted to his current rank several months ago and re-assigned to a supervisory role in the Department’s Special Operations Section.

Smart, fearless, and tenacious, Echo loved going to work every day. Among the many highlights of her career, she once tracked down a stabbing suspect wanted for attempted murder.

In another case, Echo located a fleece jacket worn by a murder suspect who had discarded the clothing in the woods. When Echo found it, inside the pocket were prescription bottles in the murder victim’s name, which proved to be key evidence.

Several times, Echo tracked missing suicidal persons, ensuring that authorities could get them help before they harmed themselves. She also alerted to hidden narcotics numerous times, resulting in multiple arrests of drug traffickers, and also sniffed out the odor of drugs on large amounts of cash several times, leading to the seizures of the illicit drug proceeds.

MSP is clearly saddened by the loss.

“Echo was a dedicated, devoted, and, most of all, loyal partner. She made Lieutenant Nims, her unit, and the Massachusetts State Police proud, and we were honored to have counted her as part of our family. Please keep her, and all the hard-working police and military dogs who serve this great nation and its communities, in your prayers. Like their human partners, they, too, sacrifice of themselves so the rest of us can sleep soundly at night. Play time, now and forever, Echo. You have earned it.”