Retired Alaska State Trooper Lantz Dahlke named as Fairbanks MMIP investigator

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - As the states puts more emphasis on investigating murdered and missing indigenous person (MMIP) cases, a new addition to the unit has been made. On Oct. 24, retired State Trooper, Lt. Lantz Dahlke became the latest addition to the MMIP investigation unit.

Dahlke began his career as a military police officer at Fort Greely, then switched over to the Alaska State Troopers in 1986. Since joining the Alaska State Troopers, Dahlke served in many different roles including a cold case unit separate from the Alaska State Troopers. Dahlke came out of retirement in 2019 to work as a special investigator out of the district attorney’s office in Fairbanks. He will continue his new position from the same office.

During his career, Dahlke had the opportunity to investigate cases in both urban and rural communities, visiting villages from the Alaska-Canada border to the Bering Sea. This has enabled Dahlke to develop many connections with the Alaska Native community. He says those connections and being able to connect with the communities where the crimes or disappearances took place can be crucial to resolving or solving cases.

He also spoke about some of the developments that he has seen during his career, including advances in technology. While he acknowledged that those advancements and other changes will likely help to solve or resolve many cases, there is more to consider. Right now he is looking over cases and filtering through the information.

To provide any information on a missing or murdered persons case, you can contact Investigator Dahlke at 907-451-5970.

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