Springfield officer receives statewide K-9 Handler of the Year award

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Springfield’s K-9 unit is being recognized on a statewide stage.

Springfield Police K-9 Officer Eric Blair recently received the 2026 K-9 Sergeant Sean Gannon Handler of the Year award.

City leaders said Blair and his retired K-9, Mr. Warner, along with current partner Flexx, have been key in gun and drug seizures.

The pair also helped push Dakota’s Law to provide care for retired police and military K-9s.