The 3-year-old Belgian German Shepherd known as K-9 Kye was laid to rest this week, with the full honors befitting the police service he performed with his partner, Sgt. Ryan Stark.
Kye was stabbed to death by a burglary suspect and now Sgt. Stark faces an investigation for fatally shooting the suspect, the New York Daily News reported.
Sgt. Stark actually leaned into the flag-draped coffin to give Kye a farewell pat during Thursday’s funeral service, which brought out canine officers and handlers from across Oklahoma.
Kye had worked for the Oklahoma City police about two years. Sgt. Stark is a 13-year veteran of the force.
The dog was killed Sunday after a high-speed chase involving police and Mark Salazar, 22, was reported by a cleaning crew to have broken into a car. The
After police blew out his tires and Mr. Salazar crashed, he fled on foot, prompted Sgt. Stark to release Kye to chase him down.
PHOTOS: Police dog Kye receives funeral with full honors after being killed in line of duty
Sgt. Stark said he was about to call Kye off when he noticed the suspect stabbing the dog. Sgt. Stark then allegedly pulled out his gun and shot the suspect, the Daily News reported.
Sgt. Stark was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, the newspaper reported.
“We know the officer was in close proximity to the suspect when the suspect was stabbing the dog, which places the officer in great danger of the suspect,” Oklahoma City Police Capt. Dexter Nelson told the Daily News.
Kye was taken into surgery but died of cardiac arrest.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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