Riverside marks retirement of K9 Tina; mayor proclaims July 10 as Officer K9 Tina Day

Riverside held a ceremony on July 10, 2025, to mark the retirement of K9 Tina, a Riverside Police Department canine that served since December 2016. Mayor Peter J. Williams read a proclamation declaring July 10, 2025, “Officer K9 Tina Day” in recognition of her service.

The event drew city officials, donors and community members. Tina’s handler, Officer Matt Jackson, received plaques and public thanks from city and county officials; the department also completed paperwork to transfer ownership of the retired dog to Jackson, and attendees were invited to meet Tina afterward.

The mayor recited the proclamation and described Tina’s record: “Whereas officer k 9 Tina has faithfully served Riverside, the Riverside Police Department, and the citizens of the City Of Riverside since 02/2016… Now, therefore, I, Peter j Williams, mayor of the City Of Riverside, do hereby proclaim 07/10/2025 as officer k 9 Tina Day in the city of Riverside,” the proclamation says.

Officer Matt Jackson, Tina’s handler, recounted field work that illustrated the dog’s role in officer safety. “Tina jumps out of the car and saves me by biting the guy,” Jackson said, describing one arrest in which Tina intervened after Jackson fell while stopping a suspect.

County Auditor Carl Keith presented a commemorative “seal of excellence” and recalled licensing Tina over the years, saying, “We refer to her as the lovely Tina.” City Manager Josh Rausch thanked the JC’s and other community groups for sponsoring the event and for ongoing support for the K9 program.

Organizers and department representatives recognized several donors and partner organizations that supported Tina or the department’s K9 program. Fort Paul’s Animal Hospital was represented by a veterinary technician, Morgan, who accepted a plaque on behalf of Dr. Rich (not present). The ceremony also acknowledged contributions from local businesses named in remarks as Sandy’s and Petland; Petland provided a monthly food donation while Sandy’s contributed funds toward the K9 program. A city representative said the purchase/transfer paperwork for Tina was paid for at the ceremony; the transcript does not specify the sale amount.

Event materials and a short video noted Tina’s service statistics: she began duty in December 2016, made 34 apprehensions, assisted 17 agencies across five counties, and worked her last shift on July 2, 2025. The city invited attendees to take photographs and meet Tina after the formal remarks.

The ceremony included remarks from Chief Robertson and other department leaders, a proclamation read by the mayor, presentations of plaques to donors and partners, and a formal transfer of the retired K9 to Officer Jackson. Attendees were offered refreshments and invited to take photos with Tina following the event.

Details not specified in the meeting record: the transcript does not list a sale price for the dog, exact amounts donated by named businesses, or any formal city council vote related to the proclamation or the transfer. The ceremony material and remarks make clear the transfer to the handler and the mayoral proclamation occurred as part of the retirement event.