Holly MatkinGeneva, IL – Kane County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) K9 Hudson died in the line of duty on Wednesday after being shot while trying to apprehend an armed carjacker.
The incident began at approximately 2 p.m. on May 24, when officers spotted a Honda Accord that had allegedly been stolen in Aurora traveling in South Elgin, WLS reported.
The driver behind the wheel of the stolen car had already fled from police once, according to the news outlet.
When police tried to stop him in South Elgin, the carjacker sped off towards Geneva before he ultimately crashed at the intersection of Fabyan Parkway and Randall Road, WLS reported.
According to officials, the suspect bailed out of the stolen car with a gun in his hand, at which point K9 Hudson was deployed to apprehend him.
The suspect allegedly opened fire on the advancing K9, fatally wounding him, according to investigators.
Police returned fire and fatally shot the gunman, WLS reported.
The suspect’s identity was not immediately released.
No other officers or civilians were injured during the shootout, according to the KCSO.
The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is handling the ongoing investigation.
K9 Hudson, a Dutch shepherd, served the sheriff’s office for six years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said K9 Hudson was “an absolute hero” and that his death is a huge loss for the department, WLS reported.
“We have a very large K9 unit, the largest outside of Cook County, and it’s a very close-knit family,” Sheriff Hain said. “This is a big loss for us. He was a great dog.”
RIP K9 Hudson “Please join us in keeping the Kane County Sheriff's Office in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of K9 Hudson. Hudson was shot and killed in the line of duty today as he assisted Officers and Deputies in the apprehension of a carjacking suspect.” pic.twitter.com/hHWBGcKxVR
— Georgia Police K9 Foundation (@Gak9foundation) May 25, 2023
K9 Deputy "Hudson" died in the line of duty today at Randall & Fabyan in Geneva. Kane Co. Sheriff's Officers shot and killed the suspect after a police chase/crash. Sheriff's Office says suspect got out of car with a gun. pic.twitter.com/JBdxwdHwOw
— marco stendardo (@NBC5Marco) May 24, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce Kane County Sheriff’s Office’s #k9 Hudson was tragically killed in the line of duty yesterday.
Our thoughts & prayers go out to Hudson’s handler, and his brothers & sisters in blue. Thank you for your service, Hudson. Rest in peace. 💔💙 pic.twitter.com/eJOVmqSqNi
— Vested Interest in K9s (@VIK9s) May 25, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office in the loss of K9 Hudson.
