La Vergne Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Add to My HeroesSjaak
K9 Sjaak succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day after a subject opened fire on his handler's patrol car with an AR-15 rifle without provocation.
The patrol car had just pulled out of the La Vergne Police Department parking lot onto Murfreesboro Road when another car pulled alongside of it and the occupant opened fire, striking the patrol car. K9 Sjaak was struck multiple times by rounds that penetrated the patrol car's door and kennel. The handler pursued the subject into an apartment complex on Rutherford Point Circle where the man exited his car and opened fire again. K9 Sjaak's handler and other officers returned fire and wounded the man. Despite being mortally wounded, subject then got back into his car and drove a short distance before crashing into a parked vehicle. The man was taken to a local hospital where he died.
K9 Sjaak's handler discovered that K9 Sjaak had been shot after the subject was taken into custody. He was transported to a veterinary hospital where he died from the wounds the following day after undergoing surgery.
K9 Sjaak had served with the La Vergne Police Department for six years.
Bio
- Breed Belgian Malinois
- Gender Male
- Age 8
- Tour 6 years
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Tuesday, November 17, 2020
- Weapon Rifle; AR-15
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 28 ReflectionsRest in peace hero! Thank you for protecting the community.
Kurt Leenknecht
Federal Aviation Police Belgium
May 27, 2021
Other LODD Deaths
Police Officer Zane Coolidge
Phoenix Police Department, AZ
End of Watch: 2024-09-06
Patrolman James Crowley
Chicago Police Department, IL
End of Watch: 2024-08-22
Officer Phylicia Carson
Osage Beach Police Department, MO
End of Watch: 2024-08-31
Police Officer Darron Lee Burks
Dallas Police Department, TX
End of Watch: 2024-08-29
Investigator Wayne David
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
End of Watch: 2024-08-28
Police Officer Austin Machitar
San Diego Police Department, CA
End of Watch: 2024-08-26
Investigator Taylor Jaimeson Bristow
Carroll County Sheriff's Office, GA
End of Watch: 2024-08-23
Deputy Sheriff Brandon Cunningham
Paulding County Sheriff's Office, GA
End of Watch: 2024-08-17
Correctional Officer Hunter Scott Miller
Kentucky Department of Corrections, KY
End of Watch: 2024-07-25