Tacoma To Hold Memorial For Slain K9 Ronja Wednesday

TACOMA, WA — The Tacoma Police Department will be broadcast a memorial Wednesday in honor of the K9 Ronja.

Ronja died in mid-August, caught in the crossfire between police and a homicide suspect.

Shortly following her death, the Tacoma Police Department issued a statement, reading in part:

"K9 Ronja's death is heartbreaking for her handler and our department. K9s hold a very special place in our hearts – their loyalty, bravery, and dedication is inspiring. K9 Ronja sacrificed herself to save the life of her partner and her fellow officers.

Ronja was her given name in the Czech Republic and it means "bringing victory". To us, Ronja will forever mean bringing valor. And for that we are eternally grateful."

Now, the Tacoma Police Department has announced a memorial for Ronja will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Organizers say that the public can not attend the memorial in person due to the pandemic, but that they will be broadcasting the ceremony live on TV Tacoma. It will also be shown live on the Tacoma Police Department's Facebook page.

Ronja died on August 13. Her and her handler had been called in to track an escaped homicide suspect in south Tacoma, and ultimately tracked the man to the 3600 block of South M Street, when police and the suspect opened fire on each other.

Investigators say that suspect, later identified as Dyrell Swinson, used a stolen pistol to fire at officers as he hid underneath a car parked in front of a triplex. Investigators say he shot five times, and at least one of the bullets hit Ronja, who later died from her injuries. Ronja's handler was also injured but survived. Officers returned fire, critically injuring Swinson.

He has since recovered and has been charged with three counts of assault in the first degree for firing a firearm at police officers, one count for harming a police dog and one for unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree.