Preacher

The Maine State Police will hold a funeral service to honor K9 Preacher, who was killed in the line of duty, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM at The Point, 345 Clarks Pond Parkway, South Portland.

Members of the media are invited to attend. Media wishing to be inside for the service must be in place no later than 10:15 AM.

For those looking to cover the procession, it will begin at approximately 10:15 AM from Crosby Farm on the Maine Turnpike in South Portland. The route is as follows:

•Southbound on Interstate 95 (Maine Turnpike)

•Exit 45, left onto Route 703

•Exit J, right onto Main Mall Road

•Right onto Philbrook Avenue

•Right onto John Roberts Road

•Left onto Clarks Pond Parkway, entering The Point

During the procession K9 handlers and their partners will be lined up along John Roberts Road in tribute to Preacher.

Media Parking

Media should park in the overflow parking lot at Home Depot, located across the street from The Point.

Livestream Information

For those unable to attend in person, the funeral service will be livestreamed. The link will become active five minutes before the ceremony begins.

https://www.thepoint.community/live/

Honoring K9 Preacher

K9 Preacher gave his life protecting his fellow officers and the citizens of Maine. More than one hundred law enforcement officers from Maine and across New England are expected to gather to honor his service and sacrifice and pay their respects to handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, the Maine State Police K9 Unit, and the Tactical Team.

Maine State Police K-9 Preacher, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois, was killed in the line of duty on Monday, February 3, 2025, during a tactical team operation in Portage.

Preacher and his handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, served the greater Southern Field Troop area and the Maine State Police Tactical Team. Sgt. Russell and K-9 Preacher attended the Maine State Police K9 Patrol School in the fall of 2023, where they became a certified patrol team. The tactical team was deployed in response to a domestic dispute that led to armed standoff involving 29-year-old Steven Righini, who had shot an Aroostook County deputy. The standoff lasted several hours before the suspect attempted to flee the residence around 8 p.m. K-9 Preacher was deployed to apprehend the suspect when he was shot in the abdomen.

Following the shooting, the suspect was engaged by Sgt. Russell and Specialist Andrew Hardy, who returned fire. The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene. K-9 Preacher was immediately rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Presque Isle, where he underwent surgery. Despite the efforts of veterinary staff, he succumbed to his injuries early this morning. He was surrounded by Sgt. Russell and several members of the tactical team when he passed.

“K-9 Preacher was more than just a working dog—he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero,” said Maine State Police Colonel Ross. “Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm.”

The Maine State Police extends its heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Jonathan Russell and the entire K-9 Unit. The loss of Preacher is a profound reminder of the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers and their K-9 partners.

On Monday morning, February 3, 2025, the Maine State Police and Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office responded to 20 Ranger Street in Portage for a report of a domestic dispute with a female and 29-year-old Steven Righini. The female reported Mr. Righini had been fighting with her and pushed her into the wall.  She requested assistance from law enforcement to help her leave the residence.

When the Troopers and Deputies arrived, the female was out of the residence and Mr. Righini was inside with their 4-week-old infant. Troopers and Deputies communicated with Mr. Righini through a window and on the telephone and persuaded him to come outside. Troopers and Deputies attempted to take Mr. Righini into custody but he resisted. A struggle ensued and Mr. Righini pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at the officers as he retreated into his residence.

As the Deputies and Troopers attempted to back out of the driveway Mr. Righini then grabbed another firearm and fired at the retreating cruiser, striking Deputy Shane Campbell in the shoulder. Deputy Reid Clark then shot at Mr. Righini. Maine State Police negotiators attempted to negotiate with Mr. Righini for several hours.

Mr. Righini refused to surrender and eventually tried to flee the residence in a vehicle. Maine State Police Tactical Team members disabled Mr. Righini’s vehicle, and he fled on foot. Just before 8:00 pm, Mr. Reghini fired a shot at a State Police K-9 unit and wounded him. Mr. Righini then pointed his gun at the Troopers. Troopers Andrew Hardy and Jonathan Russell then shot Mr. Righini, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The infant child was not injured and was returned to her mother. K-9 Preacher was transported to an emergency vet and is currently in surgery with serious injuries. Deputy Reid Clark, Trooper Andrew Hardy and Trooper Jonathan Russell are all being placed on administrative leave as is standard protocol while the Office of the Attorney General investigates the use of deadly force in the police involved shooting. Deputy Shane Campbell was transported to Northern Light hospital in Presque Isle for treatment and was later released. 

Please direct all further inquiries to the Attorney General’s Office.