– Hero South Carolina police K-9 dies saving human teammates in shootout with fugitive suspect
– South Carolina police K-9 sacrifices life to protect officers in shootout with fugitive suspect.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
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An armed fugitive allegedly opened fire on South Carolina police Tuesday morning, killing a K-9 in a gunfight that left other officers with minor injuries, according to authorities.
The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that K-9 Coba’s sacrifice saved the lives of deputies and state law enforcement agents at the scene.
“He was a brave agent and saved the lives of agents and deputy sheriffs,” the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “It was a horrible experience. I pray people understand there are humans and animals that are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect our community.”
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Coba, 4, was a Belgian-Malinois mix who joined SLED in 2021, according to authorities. (SLED)
Coba’s handler was identified as South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell.
The two were part of a task force looking for a wanted fugitive who authorities believed was hiding in a relative’s home off Gravel Road in Prosperity.
After police encountered the unnamed suspect inside, he allegedly shot Coba and attempted to shoot human members of the task force, gunning down the K-9 as a deputy and SLED agents returned fire.
Coba and his handler, Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell, pose for an undated portrait. (SLED)
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First responders rushed Coba to an emergency vet, but he succumbed to his injuries. The sheriff described the shooting as a “murder.”
SLED said in a statement that Coba had been with the agency since 2021. He was a 4-year-old Belgian-Malinois mix.
More information about the suspect, who was wounded and taken to a hospital, was not immediately available.
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Gov. Henry McMaster posted a tribute to Coba on X.
“We are grateful for our K9s, their handlers, and all our law enforcement officers who put their lives at risk each and every day,” he said.
Due to protocol, Newberry County asked the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the circumstances of the police-involved shooting, authorities said.
In a tragic incident in South Carolina, a brave K-9 officer named Coba was killed in the line of duty while protecting his human counterparts. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office hailed Coba’s sacrifice, stating that his actions saved the lives of deputies and state law enforcement agents. The sheriff’s office described the incident as a harrowing experience, emphasizing the unwavering dedication of both human and animal members of law enforcement.
Coba, a 4-year-old Belgian-Malinois mix, had joined the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in 2021. His handler, Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell, worked alongside him as part of a task force searching for a wanted fugitive in Prosperity. When the suspect opened fire on the officers, Coba bravely intervened, ultimately losing his life in the line of duty.
The suspect, who was wounded in the exchange of gunfire, was taken to a hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of first responders to save Coba, he tragically succumbed to his injuries. The sheriff’s office mourned the loss of the loyal K-9 officer, describing the shooting as a “murder.”
Governor Henry McMaster paid tribute to Coba and all law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to protect the community. The incident prompted an investigation by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office to determine the circumstances surrounding the police-involved shooting.
The loss of Coba serves as a reminder of the bravery and dedication exhibited by K-9 officers in the line of duty. The community is grateful for the service and sacrifice of these four-legged heroes and their human counterparts who work tirelessly to keep us safe..
– Hero South Carolina police K-9 dies saving human teammates in shootout with fugitive suspect
– South Carolina police K-9 saves human teammates in shootout with fugitive suspect.
