07/28/2026
The Tucson Police Department Service Dog Unit is saddened to announce the passing of retired K9 Kiro.
Kiro came to us from Slovakia in 2016 and served as a patrol dog for his entire career. He was one of the Unit’s primary SWAT K9s for most of his nearly nine years of service. During his career, Kiro logged 621 patrol deployments and 220 SWAT operations.
Kiro worked with Officer Andy Birtcil during the first three years of his career before spending the final five years partnered with Officer Barrie Pedersen.
Kiro was an outstanding police dog and a tremendous asset to the Tucson Police Department. His ability to remain calm under pressure made him well suited for high-risk operations. When the SWAT team needed a K9 for its most dangerous operations, Kiro was consistently the dog selected for the job.
After retiring, Kiro spent the last two years living with his handler and family. He enjoyed daily walks, relaxing around the house, and playing with K9 Ranger. He earned every day of his retirement.
Kiro’s service and dedication had a lasting impact on the Tucson Police Department and the community he served. He will be missed by those who had the privilege of working with him.
Servare Vitas.
⚔️
