FISHERS, Ind. — An Indiana police K9 was shot and killed in the line of duty. Fishers Police Department have identified two suspects in an early-morning incident Wednesday that left the police service dog dead.
Richard Garrett and Rashanna Farrow are both 19-years-old and from Indianapolis.
Garrett faces nine charges including: striking a law enforcement animal, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and resisting law enforcement with a vehicle.
Farrow, who was wanted on warrants from Indianapolis, is charged with False Informing. Both are held at the Hamilton County Jail, RTV6 reported.
The death of a Fishers Police Department K9 was the first line-of-duty death in the department’s history.
K9 Harlej, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, was killed during the manhunt for the wanted suspects.
The incident began when officers attempted to stop a possible DUI driver just after midnight. After a brief chase, the suspects stopped in a neighborhood and fled on foot, according to the report.
As a result, K9 Harlej was deployed. However, while he was searching in a wooded area, officers heard what they believed were shots fired.
Consequently, Harlej was later found dead in the woods. Both suspects were taken into custody.
“It is my belief that he saved lives last night and we’re thankful for his sacrifice,” Fishers Police Department Chief Ed Gebhart said during a press conference early Wednesday morning.
Gebhart said Harlej joined the Fishers Police Department in 2015 and had a “very successful career.”
“We would ask for the community to be patient with us,” Gebhart said.
Services for Harlej will be announced at a later date.
Fishers Police Department public information officer Tom Weger said there has been a huge outpouring of support, ranging from comments on social media, emails and voice messages to offerings of food, flowers and gift cards. He said a memorial is set up in the police department’s lobby.
“It’s been overwhelming and we sure do appreciate it,” Weger said.
