Police dog killed, murder suspect wounded during gunfire exchange in Tacoma
TACOMA, Wash. -- A Tacoma police dog was killed and a murder suspect was wounded as police exchanged gunfire with the fleeing man Thursday morning.
It was around 1:20 a.m. when a Tacoma police officer spotted a car with a driver suspected in a murder that had occurred Wednesday evening in Tacoma, according to Chief Mike Zaro of Lakewood Police, who is heading the investigation.
The officer attempted to pull the driver over, but he sped off and short chase ensued.
"There was a collision at the end of the pursuit after which the suspect got out and ran on foot," Zaro said.
Police dogs were brought to the scene to help search for the suspect. At some point, officers located the man in the 3600 block of M Street and gunfire was exchanged, Zaro said.
Police said the wanted man was shot and so was K-9 Ronja who later died from her injuries.
Both the suspect and the police dog were sent to respective hospitals for treatment. Zaro described their injuries as "critical" but "both were well enough to be transported to the scene for treatment."
The police dog, later identified as K-9 officer Ronja, was later pronounced dead, according to Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
The officer who was the dog's handler was treated at the scene for a minor injury. Zaro says the handler was not the officer who fired at the suspect.
The Tacoma Police Department said K-9 Ronja just joined the team in April.
Police say just two weeks after hitting the streets, she nabbed three burglars who broke into a school and she also captured a burglar who stole much-needed computers from the Boys and Girls Club.
Officer Wendy Haddow who was a K9 handler for 9 years said it was special and rare to have a female tracking K-9 police dog, so the loss is tremendous.
“Every citizen in Pierce County has lost something today,” said Officer Wendy Haddow. “She was charged with protecting her handler and the city and she did her job. And she will be sorely missed.”
“It is rare and then she got to be partnered with Jennifer Syler and let me tell you, they gave the other dogs a run for their money,” Haddow added.
Ronja was born in the Czech Republic. She was her given name there and it means “bringing victory”. To the Tacoma Police Department, Ronja will forever mean bringing valor.
The officer who was the dog's handler was treated at the scene for a minor injury. Zaro says the handler was not the officer who fired at the suspect.
Lawler told KOMO News the suspect was wanted in connection with a murder that happened Wednesday evening in Tacoma. There, a man was found dead inside an SUV at a Tacoma parking lot after multiple shooters opened fire, Tacoma police said.
Tacoma Police said there will be a celebration of life for K-9 Ronja but the department is still mourning and details will be worked out soon.
