Burbank Police Celebrate K-9 Spike’s Legacy with Baker to Vegas Win
BURBANK, Calif. – The Baker to Vegas relay race, renowned for its challenging nature, drew law enforcement teams from across the country this year. The event, characterized by sweltering temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, spans 120 miles with 20 stages, commencing in Baker, California, and concluding in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Participants are not motivated by monetary rewards but rather by a sense of pride and camaraderie. Many agencies dedicate their efforts to honoring fallen colleagues, including beloved K-9s. This year, the Burbank Police Department (PD) honored K-9 Spike, who tragically lost his life earlier in the year after being shot by a suspect.
In preparation for the race, team members from Burbank PD engaged in extensive training, logging hundreds of miles. Their hard work bore fruit as they delivered a remarkable performance, completing the race with a time of 14:49:51—almost 25 minutes faster than their previous best. This effort secured them first place in the highly competitive "150 category," and they finished 14th overall among 275 teams.
“We’ll be back next year,” team members expressed. However, the 2025 race will hold special significance as it commemorates the memory of K-9 Spike, a cherished member of the department.
