K-9 Killed in Portland Shootout: 'Mick Saved My Life,' Says Wounded Officer (VIDEO)
A K-9 was killed in Portland in the line of duty early Wednesday morning, and the body of Mick the German Shepherd was found under a hedge of a home not far from the shootout. Officer Jeff Dorn of Portland Police Bureau was shot in both legs while contending with three armed robbers, but said Mick "saved his life."
The K-9 from Portland was killed while chasing after robbery suspects who had escaped from Blumenthal's Uniforms and Equipment Wednesday morning, according to KGW.com. After multiple officers confronted the three suspects, they fled, escaping in a white SUV. After they crashed, two were arrested but one started firing at officers. Police returned fire. It is unclear how many shots were fired, but Dorn and his young K-9 partner Mick were both hit.
The unnamed suspect, 20, was also injured, though it is unknown whether it was from fleeing police or from a gunshot wound. His injuries were said to be non-life-threatening.
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Residents of Southwest Portland called police when they saw the escaping suspect, who was caught around 6 a.m. An AR-15 rifle was found nearby, and the suspect was taken to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital for his injuries.
After doing another sweep of the neighborhood, authorities finally found Mick, who had run once he was shot. He had been wearing only a harness and not a more cumbersome ballistic vest as they are only worn for Special Emergency Response Team situations, KPTV reported. Mick's body, which was pronounced dead on the scene, was taken to an animal hospital.
"We've had two officers shot in the past month protecting our community. Today's incident is a reminder of how dangerous policing can be," Police Chief Mike Reese told reporters Wednesday afternoon. "I'm very grateful that Officer Dorn will recover from his injuries and saddened that we lost one of our K-9 partners."
While Dorn is a 16-year veteran of the Portland police, Mick had just recently completed his extensive training to perform as a K-9 unit. Dorn, who was shot in both legs and hospitalized, released a brief statement to the community through the police department.
"Officer Dorn would like the community to know that 'Mick saved my life,'" the statement read.
After the community's supportive response to Mick's death, Portland police said that any donations to the K-9 department can be sent to: Portland Police Bureau K-9 Unit, 4735 E. Burnside Street, Portland OR 97215.
KPTV - FOX 12
