Gunman Opens Fire Into Police Car Fatally Injuring K9 - Handler Pursues Suspect And Engages In Gunfight

K9 units are a special pairing of a handler and a dog. They spend every moment of their days together from the moment they are paired.

However, to their handler's they are more than just a dog. K9's are a partner, a companion, a family member, forming a special bond.

Just Driving...

On November 17th, Police Officer Justin Darby turned onto Murfreesboro Road in La Vergne, Tennessee, leaving the police station. He had his K9 partner, Sjaak, in the vehicle with him.

As they were driving, a car pulled up beside them and started shooting in the vehicle. Then, the shooter tore off down the road in his car.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Darby chased after the gunman. Additional officers joined the pursuit to assist Darby.

Exchanging Gunfire

Officers followed the suspect into a residential area. Here, the shooter left his car to shoot at the approaching officers.

However, he returned to his vehicle and attempted to drive away. While driving through a parking lot, the shooter crashed into a parked car and stopped.

Officers approached the gunman's vehicle with caution and found he was hit in the exchange. An ambulance took him to a local hospital, where he died from his wounds.

Fighting for His Life

When Darby realized Sjaak had been shot three times, he was rushed to an emergency vet.

According to WTVF, Sjaak started with his handler Darby in 2014, when Sjaak chose Darby to be his partner. They spent six weeks together before being officially partnered. Darby and Sjaak had been together ever since.

Despite the surgery and the efforts of the veterinary staff, Sjaak later died of his injuries.

"Our hearts are broken. Our K9s are members of the LPD family. Sjaak was an amazing and loyal dog. We ask everyone to keep Officer Darby, his family, and all of the La Vergne officers in your thoughts and prayers as we deal with this loss.โ€

Interim Chief Davis

Not Just A Dog

K9's are more than just a dog to their handlers and their departments. Since a K9 is a valued member of a police department, the loss is hard on everyone.

In this case, the K9's life was lost to such a senseless act of violence in a targeted attack on police.

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32 comments on “Gunman Opens Fire Into Police Car Fatally Injuring K9 - Handler Pursues Suspect And Engages In Gunfight”

  1. This is what happens when you Villianize all law enforcement officers of being hateful and evil human beings. The majority of those who serve in their communities are hard working decent and kind. They do a job that is absolutely essential. I pray they find this unstable individual who obviously is the hateful evil person. I will also pray for the family of this K-9 who was a beloved family member.

  2. This is what happens when you Villianize all law enforcement officers of being hateful and evil human beings. The majority of those who serve in their communities are hard working decent and kind. They do a job that is absolutely essential. I pray they find this unstable individual who obviously is the hateful evil person. I will also pray for the family of this K-9 who was a beloved family member.

    1. Your a fool. Do you think All Democrats Secretly meet to want to work out ways to get police killed. Your right sickness and hatred is out of hand. I blame you and any hater like you for this stuff.

      1. I am a Republican that does not think all Democrats want police killed but you voted for people that hate the police so you have some Responsibility in what this administration is doing . 28th the great increase in gun sales I am sure many are to Democrats so gun rights should matter to them also . Time for Democrat gun owners to speak up . It may be too late now though because the people you voted for don't care about you either .

      2. Barry you are an idiot. The Democrats are Satan working double time and they are Dividing our country those that know right from wrong fair from unfair good from evil God bless America and protect those that stand up for what is right fair and good.

  3. I am glad this waste of humanity was dealt with before he had a chance before a bleeding heart jury who would have slapped his wrist and turned him loose to commit worse dealings!!

  4. I am glad this waste of humanity was dealt with before he had a chance before a bleeding heart jury who would have slapped his wrist and turned him loose to commit worse dealings!!

  5. My heart aches for this beautiful Sjaak, who gave his life Protecting us! May he rest in peace! And may god Bless and keep our policemen/Women!!! My grandson is a cop..i pray for him, and all of you, every day!!! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

  6. My heart aches for this beautiful Sjaak, who gave his life Protecting us! May he rest in peace! And may god Bless and keep our policemen/Women!!! My grandson is a cop..i pray for him, and all of you, every day!!! ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

  7. I believe that it is high time all police department should demand that all of their officers state federal and local to wear protective gear and if a weapon is pointed at them return fire at the Earliest possible. these police killings have got to stop. it is now time to meet fire with fire.

  8. I believe that it is high time all police department should demand that all of their officers state federal and local to wear protective gear and if a weapon is pointed at them return fire at the Earliest possible. these police killings have got to stop. it is now time to meet fire with fire.

  9. All police must wear protective gear no matter what, these police killing have got to stop and officers must meet fire with fire. State Federal and local police officers. No amount of Gun Control is going to work because the criminal element is only going to Benefit from this. common sense is the ultimate key here

  10. All police must wear protective gear no matter what, these police killing have got to stop and officers must meet fire with fire. State Federal and local police officers. No amount of Gun Control is going to work because the criminal element is only going to Benefit from this. common sense is the ultimate key here

  11. How sad!
    I grew up with dogs all my life.. THEY not only protect you, at the same time give unconditional Love.
    God Bless all those K9 Dogs out there.

  12. How sad!
    I grew up with dogs all my life.. THEY not only protect you, at the same time give unconditional Love.
    God Bless all those K9 Dogs out there.

  13. Well i guess you can say that lowlife got his just desserts. Thank you K9 Officer Sjaak for your service and may God lend healing to Officer Darby and other officers - God bless๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ

  14. Well i guess you can say that lowlife got his just desserts. Thank you K9 Officer Sjaak for your service and may God lend healing to Officer Darby and other officers - God bless๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ

  15. This act was despicable. Iโ€™m glad the perpetrator was dealt with. My sympathy to the Officer Darby for the loss of his partner.

  16. This act was despicable. Iโ€™m glad the perpetrator was dealt with. My sympathy to the Officer Darby for the loss of his partner.

  17. If your going tho Takea life thou deserve to lose yours right then And there no quetion about it. Good shooting guys.

  18. If your going tho Takea life thou deserve to lose yours right then And there no quetion about it. Good shooting guys.

  19. Whether it's K9 or Human, it has no baring if they wear a Badge. They're still LEO's!, My Heart is torn over this totally Despicable act, and I'm greatly thankful that, the Culprit was taken care of properly!
    I personally was never a LEO, Though, I did put 15 1/2 Years in the Army Infantry, and I'm a huge fan of our LEO's everywhere, as I'm also a huge Lover of our Furry, Four Legged Friends (Family), and anytime I see something like this, it Breaks my Heart!
    May GOD Bless You All!, Forever and Always!

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