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Niceville Police K-9 killed, officer injured in traffic crash on Highway 85

On Monday morning, the Niceville Police Department announced that K-9 Officer Blue was killed in a traffic crash on Highway 85 on Sunday, August 7, 2022. The crash happened around 5:55pm while reporting for duty, according to the Niceville PD. According to the report, Officer Blue’s handler and friend, Sgt. Phillip Ritcheson, was transported to […]

Jared Williams

On Monday morning, the Niceville Police Department announced that K-9 Officer Blue was killed in a traffic crash on Highway 85 on Sunday, August 7, 2022.

The crash happened around 5:55pm while reporting for duty, according to the Niceville PD.

According to the report, Officer Blue’s handler and friend, Sgt. Phillip Ritcheson, was transported to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The accident is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.

“The Niceville Police Department appreciates all the help that has come frorn the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department, Ft. Walton Police Department, Eglin Fire and Medical, Florida Highway Patrol, Niceville/Valparaiso Fire Departrnents, and Okaloosa EMS,” wrote the PD in a press release. “We appreciate all the love and support that has been shown.”

Details of a memorial service will be announced in the near future.

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