Police1 Staff
EL MIRAGE, Ariz. — An Arizona police K-9 was fatally shot while trying to catch a fleeing suspect early Friday night.
Fox News reports investigators unleashed K-9 Koki after Joe Ruelas, a suspect wanted for aggravated assault. But during the pursuit, Ruelas shot Koki, officials said.
Two officers fired back at Ruelas, who ran out of sight, according to Fox News. He was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
El Mirage Police Chief Paul Marzocca wrote in a statement that Koki, who had served with the EMPD for four years, was ‘a true hero.’
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“The loss of Koki is no different than the loss of a Police Officer,” Marzocca said in the statement. “Today the El Mirage Police Department mourns Koki, we lost a brother last night.”
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