K9 - Quilt of Honor

06/22/2026

Support Homeless Veterans

06/22/2026

HONORING THREE AMERICAN HEROES: Free Public Interment at Michigan War Dog Memorial 🐾🇺🇸

The Michigan War Dog Memorial, in special partnership with Project K-9 Hero, invites you to join us for a solemn ceremony as we lay three legendary guardians to rest with full honors. This public event celebrates the lives and service of historic Project K-9 Hero members: K9 Mattis, K9 Kurt, and K9 TTirado.

📅 Date: June 27, 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM (Noon)
📍 Location: Michigan War Dog Memorial
🎟️ Admission: Free and open to the public

THE CEREMONIAL PROCESSIONAL
A formal es**rt will lead the handlers as they bring their partners to their final resting place. We are honored to host:
Sergeant Mark Tappan (Handler of K9 Mattis)
Officer Joel Altman (Handler of K9 Kurt)
Handler Keith Gray (Handler of K9 TTirado)

The processional will feature:
🎵 Bagpipes and Drums
🇺🇸 Wayne County Honor Guard
🐾 Michigan War Dog Memorial K9 Salute Team
🐴 5 Wayne County Mounted Horses

HERO BIOGRAPHIES (Project K-9 Hero Members)

K9 Mattis (Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, GA)Mattis was a dual-purpose German Shepherd certified in narcotics detection, tracking, and apprehension. Recognized as the most decorated K9 in his department's history, he assisted in over 200 arrests and held the record for most felony and misdemeanor apprehensions. In 2016, he was awarded the Purple Heart after surviving a 30-foot fall during a pursuit, continuing to capture the suspect despite a lacerated liver and internal bleeding.

K9 Kurt (Federal Bureau of Investigation)A black Labrador Retriever, Kurt served as a Single Purpose Explosives Detection K9 for the FBI. Originally bred to be a guide dog, his high drive led him to protect the FBI’s Hoover Building by searching deliveries and vehicles. His storied career included ensuring safety during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, and he was immortalized in children’s books such as "Hoover the FBI Dog".

K9 TTirado (TSA, Indianapolis International Airport)Named in honor of FDNY Firefighter Hector Luis Tirado Jr., who passed on 9/11, this Labrador Retriever maintained a perfect detection rate over a 9-year career. TTirado supported high-profile security for events including Super Bowl LII, the Indy 500, and the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. He became a viral sensation in 2020 when his retirement "final find" celebration featured a shower of 200 tennis balls.

Project K-9 Hero works to ensure a dignified post-service life for retired heroes by providing medical care, food, and end-of-duty services. Please share this post to help us honor these brave K9s whose watch has ended, but whose legacy will live on forever

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

K9 Quilt of Honor presentation: June 12, 2026
Honoring: St. Cloud (MN) Police Department K9s
K9 Riggs and Handler Officer Wagman
K9 Diesel and Handler Officer Sutliffe
K9 Laker and Handler Officer Haas
K9 River and Handler Officer Swing
K9 Nitro and Handler Officer Scholl
Presentation by: The 2026 Minnesota Quilt Show and K9 Quilt of Honor®

06/14/2026

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

We are meeting a lot of quilters from to particapat in the making K9 Quilt of Honor for there local Law Enforcement K9s in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

06/03/2026

The Minnesota Quilt Show is honoring local police K9s with the Quilt of Honor program, featuring unique designs from around the world, at Rivers Edge Convention Center on June 12.

06/03/2026

Thank you for the interview and for helping share our message. Our K9 and their handlers are amazing.

The Minnesota Quilt Show is honoring local police K9s with the Quilt of Honor program, featuring unique designs from around the world, at Rivers Edge Convention Center on June 12.