On June 4th, 2021, Braintree Police Officer William “Bill” Cushing and his partner K9 Kitt, in their 10th year together, entered a wood line in Braintree searching for an armed suspect with 2 backup officers. After countless successful tracks and searches leading to the discovery and apprehension of suspects, this track would be Bill and Kitt’s last together. Upon the location of the suspect, K9 Kitt advanced into a hail of gunfire from the man. 

Of the 9 bullets fired at the officers, K9 Kitt was struck by 3 bullets, Officer Cushing was struck by 5 bullets, and backup Officer Donoghue was struck with 1 round. K9 Kitt absorbed the first 3 rounds fired as he advanced on the gunman, creating time and distraction which allowed Officer Cushing, Officer Donoghue, and Officer Seibert to return fire and fatally eliminate the ongoing threat. K9 Kitt lost his life during the encounter while “guarding the guardians” of society.

Officer Cushing lost his partner and closest friend in that Braintree wood line but was able to recover from his wounds and advance forward, as K9 Kitt did that June day.

In the wake of K9 Kitt’s loss and as a memorial to his service, Officer William Cushing organized a Board of Directors and established the K9 Kitt Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 in June of 2022. The K9 Kitt Foundation will serve as a facilitator, connecting members of the public interested in providing support to K9 Teams around the country who work tirelessly to serve communities and their front-line policing partners who demonstrate a need for assistance.