By Laurence Hammack
The Roanoke Instances, Va.
ROANOKE, Va. — A Roanoke police canine died early Friday after being struck by a patrol automotive throughout a pursuit of a fleeing suspect.
“The Roanoke Police Division is saddened to announce the line-of-duty demise of Ok-9 Knox,” police stated in a information launch concerning the circumstances of an incident involving the 3-year-old German shepherd.
At about 1:40 a.m., police noticed a stolen automotive at a gasoline station within the 3900 block of Melrose Avenue Northwest. The driving force sped off when officers tried a site visitors cease.
After a brief pursuit, the automobile broke down within the 4200 block of Vermont Avenue. The driving force ran from the automotive, and Knox was launched to pursue and apprehend the suspect.
Through the launch of the canine, “an officer continued in his police automobile and struck Ok-9 Knox,” police stated in a information launch. The male canine was rushed to an emergency veterinarian’s workplace, the place he later died.
An inner evaluate of the incident is underway, police stated. “We bear the load of this loss with solemn reflection,” police Chief Scott Sales space stated in an announcement. “RPD will eternally honor Knox and his lifetime of service to our neighborhood.”
Police are planning a funeral service for Knox, who grew to become a part of the division in Might 2023. Of the six canines within the division’s Ok-9 unit, Knox was one which was particularly educated to apprehend suspects, police stated.
The driving force of the stolen automotive has been recognized as Timothy Darnell Bryant, 44, of Roanoke. He’s wished on prices of grand larceny, felony alluding, hit-and-run, driving with no legitimate license, and extra excellent warrants.
A lady who remained within the automotive was arrested on pending prices from different jurisdictions.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy driving the cruiser sustained non-life-threatening accidents; the opposite driver was discovered to have a BAC greater than thrice the authorized restrict
Dawson County Deputy Jessie Perez had served with the sheriff’s workplace for eight months; he additionally served with the volunteer hearth division and as an EMT
The person was dropped at a cease after Highlands County Sheriff’s Workplace deputies deployed spike strips; he was arrested after being tased
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