Photo:Wake County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook
Wake County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook
A North Carolina police department is mourning the loss of a K-9 officer who was shot in the line of duty on Friday.
Knightdale officers were conducting a search for a suspect who had fled on foot after a traffic stop around 12:30 a.m. local time on Friday when K-9 Santos and his handler were called in to help secure the perimeter and locate the suspect.
After being transported to an emergency clinic, K-9 Santos was pronounced dead.
The suspect in the search was caught about 30 minutes later, local affiliateCBS17reported.
To honor the fallen member of the department, Wake County deputies commemorated K-9 Santos’ life in a memorial, showcased in a video tribute they shared onsocial media.
“We are so thankful for the outpouring of support we have received for K9 Santos, his handler, and the whole Sheriff’s Office family ,” the sheriff’s office wrote alongside the video.
A police vehicle was parked outside the sheriff’s office, draped in black and adorned with several bouquets and a framed photo of the fallen German shepherd.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps said, according to CBS17.
Police reported that the officer, a 31-year-old, unintentionally fired their weapon during the search for the suspect, hitting the K-9, according toABC11. The officer has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation into the incident remains open.
“All law enforcement officers understand the strong and undeniably special bond that exists between handlers and their K-9 partners,” Capps said, per ABC11. “The involved officer is very distraught, so I can only imagine the deep swell of grief our friends in the sheriff’s office must be feeling. We extended our sincerest apologies and deepest sympathies.”
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The German shepherd “was skilled in tracking and protecting his handler with a fierce determination,” according to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office statement.
He was also the department’s longest serving K-9, having joined the force in 2016.
“We thank him for his loyalty and service,” the statement said. “This loss comes during a month focused on remembering the law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Our K-9s are part of our law enforcement family, and we mourn the loss of K-9 Santos.”
source: people.com
