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Hero K9 Shot by Homicide Suspect, Credited With Saving Officers’ Lives

by Leah AnayaDecember 4, 2020

Phoenix, AZ – Around 3:30am Thursday morning near 19th Ave and Dunlap Ave in Phoenix, a police K9 was shot and injured by a suspect. Police originally responded to the area on a shots fired call and located a dead body.

The initial investigation lead police to a nearby apartment complex, where the suspect was said to live. K9 Dennis was the first to enter the apartment and was met by gunfire. With shots fired, police retreated.

The suspect exited the front door of the apartment still armed, and five officers fired their weapons. The suspect, identified so far only as a man in his 40’s, was killed by the gunfire.

GET WELL SOON: Phoenix police K9 Dennis is being hailed as a hero following a shooting at an apartment complex. He is currently recovering https://t.co/Ox6Vp0pAmi pic.twitter.com/EC0a5ls335

— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) December 3, 2020

Dennis is credited with saving the lives of the officers on scene. He is a six-year-old Belgian Malinois and was transported to the local animal hospital. Thankfully, he is expected to survive and even make a full recovery.

No further details have been released yet regarding the suspect or the homicide. Check back to LENN for further updates.

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#k9, Arizona, K9 Dennis, Officer Involved Shooting, Phoenix

About The Author

Leah Anaya

Leah Anaya is a medically retired police officer. She served for three years at the Oakland Police Department, and just under five at a department in Washington State. Before that, she was an intelligence analyst in the US Army. She is now a stay at home mom living with her husband, who is still serving as a police officer, and their three children. She also grew up as the daughter of a police officer in California. Leah is now a writer and Deputy Editor at Law Enforcement News Network as well as the Business Manager for Washington State FOP. She's a peer support advocate for The Wounded Blue and Serve and Protect. You can find her on social media @leahmsanaya or at www.leahanaya.com.