By Police1 Staff
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A K-9 died after being accidentally shot by its handler, who was trying to save it from attacking pit bulls.
Kevin Hertweck was serving a warrant Thursday to revoke probation of 39-year-old Raymond Hill when Hill released his three pit bulls, according to the Evansville Courier & Press. The animals immediately attacked both the K-9 and the officer, sources said.
Hertweck, a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputy, fired a round at the pit bulls in an attempt to save Trax, Sheriff Eric Williams said. At the same time, Trax jumped and was struck by the round, which killed him instantly.
Hertweck and Trax had worked together since Trax joined the K-9 unit, and police said the two of them undoubtedly bonded in the way only a K-9 and handler can.
“That was his partner, they worked together, they went home together,” Williams said.
Trax was buried Friday.