K9 Ryker

Police Dog Ryker, a 6-year old German Shepherd, was struck by a vehicle at 40th and Portland Avenue at approximately 7:30 p.m. the evening of December 26, 1982. He died 40 minutes later at a local veterinary hospital from the injuries he sustained. Ryker and his handler, Det. Bruce Jackson, were responding to the robbery of the Dairy Dell at 4010 Portland Avenue which occurred at 7:20 p.m.

The suspect was an armed Indian male. Ryker obtained a good scent and was tracking the suspect when he was struck by a car at the intersection of 40th and Portland Avenue. The driver of the car, who was not cited, said he did not see him.

Ryker was commissioned on April 23, 1982 and assigned to the K-9 Unit of the Patrol Division with his handler, Det. Bruce Jackson. Ryker was Tacoma Police Department’s first police dog. Ryker and his handler were credited with more than 50 felony apprehensions and an additional 30 misdemeanor arrests in his short tenure with the department.