Shawnee County Sheriff's Office Honors Late K-9 with Inflatable Statue

The 15-foot tribute is a first of its kind for the office as they remember K-9 Sixx who passed away earlier this year.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:38pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of the inflatable statue of a police K-9 officer, lit by a harsh flash against a dark background, creating a stark, gritty visual that conceptually represents the investigative and serious nature of the tribute.The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office's inflatable statue pays solemn tribute to the service and sacrifice of their late K-9 officer Sixx.Topeka Today

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office in Kansas has honored their late K-9 officer Sixx with a 15-foot inflatable statue. Sixx served alongside his handler, Deputy Tracy Trammel, from 2017 until his death earlier this year at the age of 10, just shy of retirement. The sheriff's office wanted to do something to memorialize the K-9 who made hundreds of seizures and arrests with his partner.

Why it matters

The inflatable statue is a unique way for the sheriff's office to pay tribute to a beloved K-9 officer who served the community. K-9 units are an important part of law enforcement, and honoring their service and sacrifice can help build community support and awareness.

The details

The 15-foot inflatable statue of K-9 Sixx is the first of its kind for the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office. The office plans to take the statue to future events, including this year's K-9 Games in September, so that kids can enjoy seeing it. Sixx served alongside his handler, Deputy Tracy Trammel, from 2017 until his death earlier this year at the age of 10, just shy of entering retirement.

  • Sixx served the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office from 2017 until his death earlier this year.
  • The inflatable statue tribute was unveiled in April 2026.

The players

Shawnee County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in Shawnee County, Kansas that employed K-9 officer Sixx.

K-9 Sixx

A K-9 officer who served the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office from 2017 until his death earlier this year at the age of 10.

Deputy Tracy Trammel

The handler who worked alongside K-9 Sixx during his service with the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Brian Hill

The sheriff of Shawnee County, Kansas who spoke about the decision to honor K-9 Sixx with an inflatable statue.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to do something to memorialize him.”

— Sheriff Brian Hill, Sheriff of Shawnee County, Kansas

“I know his handler, Deputy Trammel, was one of the best officers in the state, and Sixx, he worked with him. Sixx has been here since 2017, and together, they made hundreds of seizures and arrests, and it was a loss when he passed away.”

— Sheriff Brian Hill, Sheriff of Shawnee County, Kansas

What’s next

The inflatable statue of K-9 Sixx will be taken to future events, including the K-9 Games in September 2026, so that kids can enjoy seeing the tribute to the late K-9 officer.

The takeaway

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office's unique inflatable statue tribute to their late K-9 officer Sixx highlights the important role that K-9 units play in law enforcement and the deep bonds that can form between officers and their canine partners. This gesture helps to honor Sixx's service and legacy while also engaging the community, especially children, in celebrating the contributions of these four-legged officers.