Massachusetts State Trooper, Sgt. Kathleen M. Barrett, died March 23, 2006 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 53 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Kathleen Barrett joined the Massachusetts State Police in 1980 and became one of the top canine officers in the region. Kathleen was a Master Trainer in Utility and Cadaver with the North American Police Work Dog Association. She traveled along the East Coast over the years with her specially trained dogs to work with other officers in a wide range of law enforcement searches and considered a nationally renowned trainer of cadaver dog teams. Sgt. Kathleen Barrett was involved in many high profile cases which involved searching for serial killer victims, combing the rubble of the World Trade Center for bodies after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and worked the devastated neighborhoods of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and also helped the Royal Canadian Mounted Police only to mention a few. She had countless searches that involved 22 states. Despite her illness, she was out on a search the same month she passed away. In 1997 Sgt. Barrett. started traveling the country, training and certifying canine teams and giving seminars on cadaver work. Her K-9 partners were “Dan” & “Adam”. In January, Barrett was given a bravery award named for Mark Charbonnier, who was killed in the line of duty in 1994 and received standing ovation for over 3 minutes from over 400 state troopers. Sergeant Barrett received a final accolade a week before her death for her 26 years of service as a Massachusetts State trooper
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