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SLCPD Honors K9 Bruce After Unexpected Death

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department announced one of its police bloodhounds, K9 Bruce, died unexpectedly.

K9 Bruce died on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

A necropsy determined K9 Bruce died because of a medical condition previously unknown to his handler, family, or the Salt Lake City Police Department.

K9 Bruce successfully passed all his training and certifications and achieved his first and second capture, simultaneously, with his police handler on July 1, 2021, while assisting the Taylorsville Police Department.

“This is devastating to K9 Bruce’s partner, his family, the K9 squad, and our entire department,” said Chief Mike Brown. “Our police canines are members of our police family and our community. K9 Bruce represented the epitome of what we expect in a police canine. His temperament was always courageous when on the job yet gentle enough to be loved by everyone he met, including children.”

Since his first capture, K9 Bruce and his handler deployed on countless calls for service, including searching for violent offenders, fugitives, and missing persons.

K9 Bruce successfully found 31 people over his amazing career and life.

Born in Iowa in November 2020, K9 Bruce joined the Salt Lake City Police Department at the age of eight weeks old and was immediately assigned to his police handler.

As demonstrated by his first capture, K9 Bruce’s service expanded far beyond our department and city. When other jurisdictions needed help, K9 Bruce and his police handler were often the very first to respond.

“K9 Bruce achieved so much, and we are in debt to his service and legacy,” Chief Brown added. “I will remember K9 Bruce for his personality, persistence, and the way he protected our city.”

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers K9 Bruce as a happy, hardworking canine.

“Everyone loved his playful personality and fell in love with his extra folds of soft skin,” said Chief Brown.

Salt Lake City police canines are more than just partners to an officer. They live with the officer and become a close and beloved member of their family.

K9 Bruce’s handler, and his family, are asking for privacy.

The department is not available for interviews.

Three photos of K9 Bruce are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: An undated photo of Salt Lake City Police K9 Bruce (Salt Lake City Police photo).

Photo: An undated photo of Salt Lake City Police K9 Bruce (Salt Lake City Police photo).

Photo: An undated photo of Salt Lake City Police K9 Bruce as a puppy (Salt Lake City Police photo).

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