A Metro Vancouver Transit Police explosive detection police dog that graduated on June 30 from training and received its police badge in a ceremony will also honour a late Calgary Police Sergeant.

Transit Police dog Harnett, a two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, has the same namesake as Sergeant Andrew Harnett of the Calgary Police Service. Sergeant Andrew Harnett was killed in the line of duty on New Year’s Eve in 2020 when he was struck by a vehicle that fled a traffic stop.

According to a press release by the Vancouver Transit Police The Calgary Police Service and Sgt. Harnett’s Family thanked Vancouver police for the gesture.

“We wish to thank the Metro Vancouver Transit Police for honouring Sgt. Andrew Harnett in the naming of a Police Service Dog in his memory. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice Andrew made and it brings us comfort knowing he will be remembered in Vancouver as well.”

The other police dog that graduated, is named Chopper. Chopper is an 18-month-old Black Labrador Retriever, and he is named for Constable Ryan “Chopper” Masales of the Abbotsford Police Department.

"In September 2016, Cst. Masales was diagnosed with an aggressive stage four brain tumour after collapsing while on duty. Despite several attempts at treatment over the following years, Cst. Masales lost his battle on March 26, 2020."

According to the Vancouver Transit Police, both police dogs will join the rest of the dog team in keeping the transit system safe, while bringing awareness to the legacies of Sgt. Harnett and Cst. Masales and the two officers’ devotion to community service.

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