Holly MatkinLebanon Junction, KY – Shepherdsville Police Department (SPD) K9 Dash was fatally shot in the line of duty Wednesday night while pursuing an armed robbery suspect, according to police.
The series of events leading to the shooting began at approximately 9 p.m. on March 9, when police received a report of a shoplifting at the Dollar General Store, WHAS reported.
Police responded to the scene and encountered an armed man outside the business, according to the Kentucky State Police (KSP).
The suspect allegedly opened fire on the officers before fleeing on foot.
SPD Officer Jeff Schank and his partner, K9 Dash, responded to the area to search for the gunman, SPD Chief Rick McCubbin told WAVE.
K9 Dash soon located the suspect and moved in to restrain him, at which point the gunman shot and killed him, WHAS reported.
SPD officers and Bullitt County sheriff’s deputies returned fire, hitting the suspect repeatedly, according to the KSP.
Officers administered emergency medical attention to the suspect before he was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital by ambulance, WHAS reported.
Police described his injuries as life-threatening, according to WKLY.
He has not yet been charged in connection with killing K9 Dash or the events leading up to the shooting, the Courier Journal reported.
The KSP is handling the ongoing investigation into the incident.
K9 Dash served the SPD for five years, Chief McCubbin said in a Facebook post.
He said the beloved K9 was fatally wounded while “doing what he was trained to do: track and apprehend a suspect and to protect his two-legged canine partner.”
“That is exactly what Dash did,” Chief McCubbin wrote. “Apprehended the suspect and gave his life to protect his partner.”
It was a tough night for my little town. I suppose it isn’t so little anymore with crime from Louisville heading South.
Rest In Peace, K9 Dash.
EOW: 3/9/2022 pic.twitter.com/zwqWfvkOW5— Cady (@cadycoulardot) March 10, 2022
Flowers and cards sit inside Shepherdsville Police Dept for K9 officer Dash who was killed last night. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/0HTABZhRHM
— Lexie Ratterman (@LRatterman_WDRB) March 10, 2022
RIP. K9 Dash was murdered when he was shot and killed by a burglary suspect. STOP SHOOTING MY POLICE OFFICERS!!! #rip #hero #murdered #K9Dash #ShepherdsvillePoliceDepartment #lawenforcement #thinblueline #bluelivesmatter #backtheblue #police #k9 #protectingtheblue pic.twitter.com/ZXi5tG1yQJ
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) March 10, 2022
Keeping my friends Chief @KYRickMc and his department @ShepPolice in my thoughts. #K9 Ofc Dash was killed during an investigation last night. #lawenforcement #shepherdsville #kentucky pic.twitter.com/veTWRI9YZf
— Aaron Ellis (@aaronellis01) March 10, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shepherdsville Police Department and Officer Schank in the loss of K9 Dash.
Sandy Malone
