COMMUNITY MOURNING SUDDEN LOSS OF ROKKO, 8-YEAR-OLD STAR...

HN photo: Barnstable Police K9 Rokko and Officer Jeffrey Jackson, moments after catching the scent and capturing Michael Harrington, wanted for the brutal ambush, stabbing, and attempted murder of a Marstons Mills woman in August of 2021.

HN NOTES: Yesterday afternoon, the Barnstable Police K9 Foundation posted the following on their Facebook page:

“We regret to announce the sudden passing of Ptl. Jeff Jackson’s K9 partner Rokko. Rokko was rushed into emergency surgery this morning and unfortunately did not survive. Rokko served the Town of Barnstable [honorably] for the past six years. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Kevin Smith and all the staff at VCA Hyannis Animal Hospital. K9 leads the way…”

According to sources, Rokko suffered a “flipped stomach,” a serious medical emergency for dogs. He was immediately rushed to the vet but sadly passed away during emergency care efforts. Rokko was 8.5-years-old… still very much in his prime.

The sudden heartbreaking news hit everyone hard. Rokko’s passing is a huge loss for the entire community. Immediately, across social media, numerous community members began expressing their condolences, praying for the peace and comfort of Rokko and Officer Jackson during this difficult time.

Having witnessed and documented Rokko’s stellar police career, HN began thinking about highlights…

I remembered one dramatic take-down as if it happened yesterday. It was a muggy and inky black evening in August of 2021. The entire Barnstable Police force was hunting a monster named Micheal Harrington. Harrington had just tried to murder his ex-girlfriend earlier that morning. He then fled the area and reportedly attempted to stage his own drowning in an effort to throw off police.

HN’s initial August 2021 report described the bloody crime scene as follows:

“The 911 caller reported speaking with his female friend by phone as she walked into her home, and then it suddenly sounded like she was being attacked… and the phone went dead. The first police officers on scene found the female stabbing victim in rough shape, suffering from multiple stab wounds, including stab wounds to her face and abdomen. The woman was described as being 41-years-old and in priority one condition…”

It was a gruesome crime scene most foul.

Later that evening, August 28, 2021, around 9:30 p.m., a group of Barnstable police officers were making their way along the coastline, searching for Harrington in the area of Dowses Beach in Osterville. The department had been tirelessly searching for Harrington all day… since approximately 20 hours earlier, around 1:30 a.m…

… when suddenly, a determined K9 Rokko caught Harrington’s scent while valiantly pulling Officer Jackson in the direction of their dangerous, homicidal suspect.

Not yet knowing the location of the search, HN heard a radio transmission referring to men out “crabbing.” There are only a certain number of places to successfully fish for crabs in Barnstable. On an informed hunch, I began driving toward Dowses Beach. And the moment I arrived in the parking area, I heard Officer Jackson come over the radio announcing they had just encountered the suspect. I grabbed a camera and jumped from the car right as officers began sprinting toward Officer Jackson and Rokko. The following HN footage shows what happened next…

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]