Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona
End of Watch Monday, August 20, 2007
Add to My HeroesRico
K9 Rico was struck and killed by a tractor trailer after becoming separated from his handler while tracking two fleeing suspects.
Rico's handler had attempted to stop a speeding vehicle on I-10, but the vehicle fled at high speeds until crashing. The two occupants fled on foot with Rico and his handler in pursuit. As his handler caught one of the subject Rico somehow became separated. He instinctively return to the patrol car, but was struck by a passing tractor trailer on I-10 as he waited for his handler to return.
The vehicle that had crashed was found to contain 967 pounds of marijuana. The two illegal aliens who fled from it were arrested and charged with several narcotics charges.
K9 Rico had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for seven years. He had been responsible for the seizure of nearly 68,000 pounds of marijuana, five pounds of heroin, 86 pounds of cocaine, 95 pounds of meth and almost $1,000,000 in currency.
Bio
- Breed Unknown Breed
- Gender Male
- Age 7
- Tour 4 years
Incident Details
- Cause Struck by vehicle
- Incident Date Not available
- Offender Apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 2 ReflectionsWhat an amazing K9. RIP Rico, you're a true hero.
Kevin
None
June 29, 2013
Other LODD Deaths

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
End of Watch: 2022-05-16

Deputy Sheriff Walter Jenkins
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
End of Watch: 2022-05-11

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
End of Watch: 2022-05-11

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
End of Watch: 2022-04-03

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
End of Watch: 2022-05-05

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
End of Watch: 2022-04-06

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
End of Watch: 2022-04-29

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
End of Watch: 2022-03-29

Police Officer David Glen Evans
San Antonio Police Department, TX
End of Watch: 2022-02-25