Marysville Mourns the Loss of Beloved K-9 Officers Copper and Steele

The Marysville Police Department announced with sorrow the passing of K-9 officers Copper and Steele, who served the community with distinction for nearly a decade. K-9 Copper, who died on October 3, 2025, after emergency surgery, and K-9 Steele, who passed peacefully on October 16, 2025, completed over 600 deployments and assisted in nearly 400 arrests. Chief Erik Scairpon expressed the profound loss felt by the department, stating, “These dogs weren’t just assets, they were family. ” The duo set a standard for excellence in K-9 policing across Snohomish County as the first dual-trained patrol and narcotics detection dogs in Marysville’s history. Their retirement was announced earlier in 2025, but their passing came unexpectedly, leaving a significant void.

The community is preparing to honor their legacy with a public celebration of service, details of which will be shared next week. Copper and Steele’s contributions to public safety and community engagement underscore their importance beyond mere service animals. This loss highlights the deep bond between law enforcement and their K-9 partners.