K9 Officer Timothy James Brackeen

K9 Officer Timothy James Brackeen

Shelby Police Department, North Carolina

End of Watch Monday, September 12, 2016

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Timothy James Brackeen

Police Officer Tim Brackeen succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while attempting to arrest a man near the intersection of DeKalb and Gidney Streets. The suspect was wanted for armed robbery and kidnapping.

He was searching the area when other officers who were on scene heard several gunshots. They located Officer Brackeen moments later suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to Cleveland Regional Medical Center and then transferred to Carolinas Medical Center, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.

The 23-year-old suspect was captured four days later by a SWAT team in Coventry, Rhode Island. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the left torso fired by Officer Brackeen. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in October 2019.

Officer Brackeen had served with the Shelby Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the Canine Unit. He was survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter. His canine partner, Ciko, was retired and is now living with a trainer that has known Ciko since he was a puppy.

Bio

  • Age 38
  • Tour 12 years
  • Badge 763

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Saturday, September 10, 2016
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Sentenced to life

arrest

Most Recent Reflection

View all 216 Reflections

Wow...six years, Tim. It is so hard to understand. I'm sure God has a plan for all of us, including you...including me. Perhaps nothing humbles us more as mere mortals than our inability to see or understand that plan. I don't question God...I trust in him and his plan, but equally I may be the most humbled of mortals, because losing you when we did, I don't understand. I do take comfort in believing that where you are, YOU now "know the plan". YOU now understand. YOU now know why things happened the way they did. That it is all clear to you, and someday, it will be all clear to me, and to the rest of us that trust in God and Christ our Savior, but equally and humbly admit, today, after six years, it still makes no sense. My faith in that understanding coming someday is further bolstered by the fact that it was "God's Plan" that gave you to your family and friends for 38 years, and to our profession for 12.

To Tim's family I say "thank you" for sharing him with your community and our profession. To Tim I say "thank you" for your service and fidelity to duty. You are missed.

NC Officer

September 12, 2022

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