Police dog shot and killed in the line of duty saving his partner

A sheriff’s department in Florida is mourning the death of one of its officers, who was shot and killed on Christmas Eve.

Officers at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department consoled the fallen officer’s partner that night.

The officer was K9 Cigo, the sheriff department’s police dog. He saved the life of his handler and partner.

On Christmas Eve, police had been tipped off that two people wanted over an attempted murder were meeting up outside the Wellington Green Mall.

Police cordoned off the carpark and waited for the men.

“The reason we wanted to get them is that they are very dangerous people, one of them is a known gang member of the Latin Kings,” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.

It was when the team attempted to arrest the men that K9 Cigo was released. Police said one man surrendered on the spot but the other ran and Cigo gave chase.

“As the K9 was released to take him into custody, he turned, he was running and shooting at the same time, he turn and shot the dog, the dog was still able to make it to him,” Sheriff Bradshaw said.

“In the meantime he’s still firing back at the deputies, the deputies managed to return fire and render him down on the ground.”

The offender was taken to hospital in a serious condition, but Cigo died at the scene.

The sheriff’s department posted tributes to Cigo on social media, saying he did his job and saved his deputy’s life.

“We mourn the loss of this hero and we are so grateful for his service and sacrifice... Good Boy,” the sheriff’s department posted on Facebook.


Thousand of people reacted to the post with messages of condolence to the department, while others questioned why the dog wasn’t wearing a vest.

The sheriff’s department also posted a video of officers consoling Cigo’ handler, which has been viewed more than 200,000 times.