In 2016, German shepherd Police Dog Finn made the ultimate sacrifice when he confronted an armed suspect in Stevenage, putting his own life on the line to protect his handler, PC Dave Wardell, from what could have been fatal injuries. The brave dog suffered near-fatal stab wounds during the attack, but his heroic intervention prevented Wardell from sustaining more serious harm, proving that the bond between police dogs and their handlers goes far beyond duty. What made Finn’s story even more powerful was how it sparked nationwide change, when his attacker was only charged with criminal damage, Wardell campaigned tirelessly for better legal protection for service animals.
Finn’s courage led directly to the passage of Finn’s Law in 2019, groundbreaking legislation that provides enhanced legal protection for police dogs, horses, and other service animals across the country. After recovering from his injuries and briefly returning to work, Finn retired and lived until 2023, passing away at age 14 as one of the most decorated police dogs in history. This past Sunday, exactly two years after his death, a magnificent bronze statue was unveiled in his honor at Layston Court Gardens in Buntingford, funded by $50,000 raised in just 72 hours by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation. The memorial, crafted by specialist sculptor Suzie Marsh over 11 months, captures both Finn’s gentle nature and the unwavering focus that made him a hero, ensuring his legacy of courage and the law that bears his name will inspire future generations.