NH State Police Announces Passing Of K-9 Wyatt
CONCORD, N.H. – It is with a heavy heart that the New Hampshire State Police Canine Unit announces the passing of K-9 Wyatt.
Wyatt, along with his handler, Trooper First Class Kevin Devlin, began their canine career on March 2, 2015. At eight weeks of age, Wyatt, a Plott Hound, a breed known for its abilities to hunt bears in the mountains of North Carolina, who stood no taller than his handler’s knee, began training to become an elite member of the New Hampshire State Police Canine Unit. Trooper First Class Devlin and Wyatt trained countless hours over fifteen weeks before they became certified through the New England State Police Administrators Conference, specializing in search and rescue. At just six months old, K-9 Wyatt and Trooper First Class Devlin became an invaluable resource to the State of New Hampshire as they began bringing relief to so many families whose loved ones had gone missing. At just ten months of age, Wyatt and Trooper First Class Devlin were once again tasked with more responsibility when they began their training to become a team specializing in the recovery of human remains. Before reaching his first birthday, K-9 Wyatt became the youngest certified police canine in the history of the New Hampshire State Police to be trained and certified in both search and rescue and the detection of human remains.
Over a period of ten years, Trooper First Class Devlin and Wyatt were involved in over 500 calls throughout the State of New Hampshire. Additionally, the team was often called beyond the borders of New Hampshire, assisting agencies across New England with some of the most high-profile cases in the last decade. Trooper First Class Devlin and Wyatt were responsible for countless cases in which family members were reunited safely, bringing closure to families after losing loved ones, and the prosecution of multiple criminals who were involved in violent crimes.
On March 18, 2025, at the age of ten years old, K-9 Wyatt passed away with Trooper First Class Devlin and his family, along with his State Police family by his side, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that had spread throughout his chest and lungs. We would like to thank the staff at Port City Veterinary Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for their care and compassion during this difficult time. K-9 Wyatt was then escorted with honors to where he was laid to rest.
“K-9 Wyatt was a cherished member of the New Hampshire State Police family, an essential part of the Canine Unit,” said Colonel Mark B. Hall. “Today we mourn his passing and remember his years of exemplary service. Trooper First Class Devlin and K-9 Wyatt were instrumental in bringing closure to families throughout New Hampshire and beyond. Our thoughts are with K-9 Wyatt’s handler, Trooper First Class Devlin, his family, and all members of the Canine Unit.”
On behalf of the New Hampshire State Police and the State of New Hampshire, we thank Trooper First Class Devlin, his family, and K-9 Wyatt for their dedicated service to the people of this great State. Rest easy K-9 Wyatt, you have done your job well, and your fellow K-9 partners will take it from here.
