Bartholomew County police dog killed during pursuit of suspect
COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — A police dog with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office was killed Saturday during a pursuit of a suspect.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic battery call on Saturday evening sometime before 7 p.m., and a suspect there fled the scene, leading police on a chase, Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers said Saturday in a post on Facebook.
Later, the suspect was found near 600 South and 650 West and ran from deputies, so the police dog, Diesel, was released and ran into the woods near Interstate 65, while Diesel’s handler stayed to watch two people in the car the suspect had left behind, the sheriff said.
Deputies found the suspect, who was not named in the post, hiding in a ditch. Diesel was found alongside the interstate, and on Saturday night. Myers said “it is not known for sure how he was killed,” but “K9 Diesel was doing his job when he was killed.”
Diesel was taken to the sheriff’s office and his handler and the handler’s family got to have time with him, Myers said.
“I am absolutely heart broken,” Myers said in the post. “I am stuck at home with Covid when I need to be with my deputies.”
The domestic battery victim was taken to an area hospital for her injuries. No additional information was provided about the domestic battery incident, and Myers said the office was in the middle of its investigation.
Earlier this evening, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Domestic Battery call. The suspect fled the scene. Later, the suspect was located near 600 S and 650 W and a short pursuit ensued. When deputies stopped the suspect, he fled on foot. BCSO K9 Diesel was released and ran into the woods by I65. Diesel’s handler stayed behind to watch two other occupants in the vehicle. The K9 was found alongside the Interstate. At this time, it is not known for sure how he was killed. The investigation continues.
The suspect was found hiding in a ditch. K9 Diesel was doing his job when he was killed. Diesel was taken to the Sheriff’s Office where his handler and his family were given time with him.
The domestic battery victim was taken to the hospital for her injuries.
“I am absolutely heart broken”, said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers. “I am stuck at home with Covid when I need to be with my deputies,” added Sheriff Myers.
There will be a time for our agency and our community to mourn. Right now we are in the middle of an investigation.
Tonight we are not releasing any names and/or additional information.
Please keep all of us in your prayers.
Sheriff Matt Myers
