EL MIRAGE, Ariz. – An Arizona police K9 was fatally shot while trying to catch a fleeing suspect who was later found dead, authorities said.
Investigators were trying to nab Joe Ruelas, a 38-year-old man wanted for aggravated assault, around 5:20 p.m. on Friday when he apparently tried making a run for it.
K9 Koki, with the El Mirage Police Department, was directed to capture Ruelas on foot, KSAZ-TV reported. But during the pursuit, Ruelas shot Koki, officials said.
As a result, two police officers returned fire at Ruelas, who ran out of sight. He was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.
Paul Marzocca, police chief in El Mirage, said the beloved K9 was “killed in the line of duty tonight protecting other officers from harm.”
“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.”
Marzocca wrote on Facebook Friday night “the community is safe and the suspect is no longer a threat,” and thanked the various officers and fellow agencies “that gave their many resources to help us tonight.”
Koki served with the El Mirage Police Department for four years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. The Arizona police K9 will be dearly missed by EMPD.
