A Florida police K-9 is fighting to recover after being caught in the middle of a deadly shootout with an armed suspect — and authorities say the dog may have saved the lives of three deputies.
K-9 Ace, a 7-year-old German shepherd with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, was seriously wounded Thursday evening during a tense confrontation in Kathleen, Florida. The suspect, identified as Angel Bowers, reportedly opened fire on deputies from inside a tent in a wooded area.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, deputies had gone to the area after learning Bowers was hiding there. Bowers was reportedly wanted after failing to appear in court on a charge involving unlawful sex with a minor.
Authorities say deputies approached the tent shortly after 6:15 p.m. when Bowers suddenly opened fire. Deputies returned fire as the situation escalated, with Ace and his handler caught in the middle of the gun battle.
During the exchange of gunfire, Ace was struck in his front leg.
The injury was extremely serious. Officials said the bullet caused significant damage and Ace nearly bled to death before receiving emergency medical treatment. He was immediately rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic, where doctors worked to stabilize him before he was transported by helicopter to a facility capable of providing advanced treatment.
But despite the horrific injury, Ace’s actions during the confrontation are being credited with potentially saving lives.
Sheriff Judd said Ace was protecting not only his handler, but other deputies who were at the scene.
“Ace was shot protecting not only his handler but the other deputies that arrived,” Judd said.
Bowers was ultimately pulled from the tent and pronounced dead at the scene.
Ace survived the shooting, but his injuries were so severe that veterinarians were forced to amputate his injured leg. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the K-9 remained hospitalized as he continued his recovery.
The heartbreaking update has sparked an outpouring of support for the K-9, with many people praising Ace for putting himself directly in harm’s way while protecting the deputies around him.
For law enforcement officers, K-9s like Ace aren’t simply trained animals. They’re partners who are sent into some of the most dangerous situations imaginable, often putting themselves between officers and suspects.
This latest incident is another reminder of just how dangerous police encounters with armed suspects can become in a matter of seconds.
While Ace now faces a long road to recovery after losing his leg, officials say his actions during Thursday’s shootout were nothing short of heroic.
The investigation into the deadly deputy-involved shooting remains ongoing.