K-9 Harlej

Fishers Police Department
Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Handler:
Officer Jarred Koopman

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
12:05 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
131st Street and Olio Road, Fishers
Incident County:
Hamilton
Incident Township:
Fall Creek
Weapon Used:
Handgun
Suspect Disposition:
• Discharged in 2022
• Discharged in 2020

   K-9 Harlej was shot and killed during a search to apprehend a suspect who fled on foot during a traffic stop.

   An attempt was made to stop a drunken driver who exited northbound Interstate 69 at Southeastern Parkway. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped at 131st Street and Olio Road when the driver fled on foot into a wooded area. Shortly thereafter, sounds of gunfire were heard and officers found K-9 Harlej had been shot to death.

   The 19-year-old driver was apprehended two hours later. He was charged with felony counts of striking a law enforcement animal, criminal recklessness, resisting law enforcement, auto theft and residential entry, and misdemeanor counts of carrying a handgun without a license, resisting law enforcement, possession of marijuana, unauthorized entry of a vehicle and reckless driving.

   He subsequently pleaded guilty to the felony charges except auto theft, was sentenced to six years in prison as well as restitution of $19,000 and discharged in 2022.

   The 19-year-old passenger was taken into custody at the vehicle and charged with assisting a criminal, synthetic identity deception and false informing. She was later sentenced to two years in jail for assisting a criminal and discharged in 2020.

   K-9 Harlej, a 5-year-old male Belgian Malinois, had served with the Fishers Police Department for four years.

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