Vice K-9 left in car was parked at Kona Police Station, chief confirms

A Hawai‘i Island police K-9 died while on duty after being left inside its handler’s vehicle that was parked at the Kona Police Station.

Acting Police Chief Reed Mahuna said the incident, which occurred on Thursday, was a preventable tragedy.

The department has begun a criminal and administrative investigation into the tragedy.

It is unknown how long Archer, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix from Hungary, was left in the vehicle.

“At this time, it is clear that it was an extended and unacceptable period of time; a dog should not be left unattended in a car for any period of time,” Mahuna said in an email Saturday.

Archer served on the Kona Vice section since 2020 with handler Officer Sidra Brown, according to the department’s website.

Brown was featured in 2024 by the department for Women’s History Month. In a Facebook video, the officer talks about why she joined the force, and her favorite part of the job is working as a narcotics K-9 handler and seeing “the cool things these dogs can do” in getting drugs off the streets.

The K-9 handler is not on administrative leave but will no longer be working as a K-9 handler or in the Vice section, Mahuna said.

“The K-9 handler involved in this case is devastated, as you would expect. Nevertheless, a thorough criminal and administrative investigation will be conducted,” Mahuna in a press release said Friday. “We are committed to accountability and ensuring something like this never happens again.”

The Kona Vice team has two dogs that are currently working: Boyke, a Belgian Malinois, and Kim, a German Short Haired Pointer. The department has plans to secure another K-9 in the near future.

Archer and Brown have been part of numerous successful operations where the team has kept drugs and dangerous contraband off the streets, according to the police department.

A memorial service will be planned for Archer.