The Sacramento Police Department is investing the shooting of Police Dog, "Bodie".

On May 18, 2012 at 9:50 a.m., police attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in the area of Broadway and 24th Street. The driver led officers on a high speed chase through several residential neighborhoods, exceeding speeds of 70 mph. Officers soon cancelled the pursuit due to the driver narrowly hitting a group of school-aged children.

Several minutes later, the vehicle was located unoccupied near 4th Avenue and Marty Way. Responding officers saturated the area and soon located a male and female on foot, matching the suspect's description. As officers made contact with the pair, they fled along Riverside Boulevard towards Robertson Way. The female was immediately apprehended by officers. The male continued to run into a nearby backyard where an Officer and his K9 partner, Bodie, gave chase.

While in the backyard, the male suspect fired multiple rounds towards the officer and his partner, striking Bodie in the face and the paw. Fearing for the safety of himself and his partners, Bodie's handler returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times in the upper body. Officers retreated and surrounded the home until members of the SWAT team determined the scene was safe. Medical personnel arrived on scene and declared the suspect deceased. After being shot, Bodie was immediately rushed to an animal hospital by his handler.

Police have identified the suspect as a 33-year-old male, White from Chico, California. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The female, who is in her late 20s, has been detained and brought in for questioning.

Bodie underwent surgery for significant injuries to his jaw and mouth. He is currently in stable condition and both he and his handler are doing well. Bodie is a four-year-old German Shepherd and has been with the Sacramento Police Department just over one year. His handler is a 13-year veteran and has been a K9 officer for eight years.

TO HELP WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES, you can dontate by clicking on the "Donate" tab on our home page or mail checks to Sacramento Police Canine Assoc. at 550 Bercut Dr, Sacramento, CA 95811

http://www.news10.net/news/article/193740/2/Suspect-fatally-shot-police-K-9-wounded-in-Land-Park