K9 Mr. Warner Retires After Successful Career

K9 Mr. Warner Retires After Successful Career

SPD K9 Unit Welcomes Flexx as its Newest Member

Springfield, Mass. — Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood announced the retirement of K9 Mr. Warner. Mr. Warner had a highly successful career working with K9 Officer Eric Blair. Mr. Warner received the 2021 Animal Hero Award presented by the Dakin Humane Society and the North American Police Dog Association’s Outstanding Service Award in 2019. His last official day of work was December 10^th.

Mr. Warner assisted in hundreds of arrests in his career, including firearms cases, narcotics cases, armed robberies and break-ins. Mr. Warner has also assisted numerous surrounding agencies in their investigations, including the Massachusetts State Police, with missing persons searches and other investigations.

Commissioner Clapprood stated, “I’d like to congratulate K9 Mr. Warner on his retirement this month and his successful career. The K9 team of Mr. Warner and K9 officer Eric Blair made outstanding arrests and been a wonderful asset to the department. I’d also like to welcome K9 Flexx to our Unit as Officer Blair’s new partner.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Boy, officer Eric Blair and K9 Mr. Warner have been a dynamic duo. K9 Flexx will have same ‘big paws’ to fill, but I know both he and Officer Blair will continue to be up to the task. Thanks and Godspeed to them all.”

Officer Blair has been a member of the Springfield Police Department since 2011 and Mr. Warner joined the department in 2014 as his partner. Some of Officer Blair’s and Mr. Warner’s career highlights include:

December 2021 – K9 Mr. Warner alerts officers to a firearm and hiding suspect in a Lowell Street apartment after the suspect pointed a gun at an officer
August 2020 – Officer Blair and K9 Mr. Warner assisted the Agawam Police Department during a narcotics investigation that resulted in Mr. Warner locating a large amount of drugs. The previous day Mr. Warner assisted the Wilbraham Police Department in locating a missing elderly man.
February 2020 – Mr. Warner assisted in getting a suspect who was believed to be armed to comply with officers’ orders to show his hands. After the suspect was taken into custody, Mr. Warner tracked and located the firearm involved in the incident.
October 2019 – Mr. Warner successfully tracked two armed robbery suspects, leading officers to arrest the suspects in Ludlow. Multiple armed robberies occurred in both Springfield and Ludlow prior to the arrests being made.
June 2019 – Officer Blair and Mr. Warner received the North American Police Dog Association’s Outstanding Service Award for their role in two incidents in November 2018 leading to the arrests of four individuals and the seizure of an illegal firearm and BB gun.

Mr. Warner got his unique name after a Warner School 5th grader won an essay contest to name the department’s K9 and chose his school’s name. Officer Blair added the “Mr.” to his K9 partner’s name to add a more approachable and distinguished ring to it.

The Springfield Police Department is also proud to announce the addition of K9 Flexx. Flexx is a two year old Belgium Malinois who was certified and began working with Officer Blair this month.