A statewide naming contest for Oregon State Police’s newest K-9 recruit yielded some fierce competition and a name that pays tribute to a 5-year-old girl.

The 2-year-old Belgian Malinois was officially named “Millie” this week.

Millie’s handler, OSP Sr. Trooper Scott Show, suggested the idea of letting elementary students name his two-year-old drug-detection dog.

OSP launched the “Name our K-9 contest in mid-October with a week’s worth of online voting – from five finalist names – beginning Nov. 1.

Some 778 students submitted names, OSP officials said, with Hillcrest Elementary in North Bend submitting the most entries.

The winning name, Millie, received nearly half of all votes cast. Winston resident Violet Melton submitted the name in memory of her twin sister, Millie, who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

“Millie and Violet were inseparable. Although they were complete opposites, they shared a love of animals,” Kylee Stewart, Violet and Millie’s mother, said in an OSP release.

“When we came across the “Name Our K-9” contest, Violet knew she wanted to enter her sister’s name.”

Show said he never imagined the contest would yield a name with important meaning.

“Nobody planned for there to be this much meaning behind naming the K-9,” Show said.

“To have our dog end up with a name that’s got some significance and is meaningful to this family is really wonderful.”

K-9 Millie — certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association as a drug-detection dog — and Show are part of the Albany Patrol Office for drug interdiction (prevention of drugs from reaching their destination) along Interstate 5 and throughout the state.

In recognition for winning the naming contest, Violet received a letter and certificate from OSP Superintendent Casey Codding and an OSP uniform patch. She also received a Belgian Malinois plushie personalized with the OSP logo and the name “Millie” generously donated by Hero Industries.

Other contest finalists, whom will be presented “finalist” certificates, included the following:

“True” submitted by Michael B. from Creswell Christian Academy in Creswell.

“Showtime” submitted by KariAnn G. from Eastwood Elementary in Roseburg.

“Pearl” submitted by Bailey P. from Jefferson Elementary in Medford.

“Mable” submitted by Mrs. Moles’s second-grade class from Prairie City Elementary in Prairie City.

Medford resident Ryan Pfeil said family and friends had fun voting for his daughter Bailey’s chosen dog name of Pearl. The name had no backstory, said the dad. Bailey was excited to be in the final running for naming the K-9, he said.

“It wasn’t any particular fictional character or someone she’s known, just a name she confidently selected,” he said.

“It was a pretty special moment for her. She knew what she wanted her name submission to be immediately, and to see her mouth fall open, then shift to a proud grin when she found out she was a finalist, was pretty awesome.”

OSP officials posted a video about the naming contest and the twin girl who inspired the K-9’s new moniker. To watch, visit online, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJNHAcKv8fQ