Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama
End of Watch: Monday, July 7, 2014
Age: 5
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 7, 2014
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 3 life terms
K9 Tracker was shot and killed near Skipperville while assisting other agencies during the search for a man wanted for first-degree child rape and incest.
Two canine tracking teams from the Alabama Department of Corrections had responded to assist deputies with the Dale County Sheriff's Office in the search for the suspect, who had been hiding in the woods near his home for several days. An Alabama Department of Public Safety helicopter had located the subject in an area near County Road 33 and County Road 70 and directed a team of officers, including K9 Tracker, to the location.
The subject started to flee as officers approached, and Tracker began to pursue him. The man opened fire on Tracker and deputies, killing Tracker, before being wounded by return gunfire. He was taken into custody and faces additional charges of attempted murder or a law enforcement officers with charges pending for the death of Tracker. In 2014, he was sentenced to three life terms after pleading guilty to three felony charges.
K9 Tracker was a beagle assigned to the Ventress Correctional Facility.