K-9 Xito

Marion County Sheriff’s Department
Sunday, July 3, 1988

Handler:
Deputy Sheriff Gary Davidson

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Struck by vehicle
Date/Time of Incident:
Sunday, July 3, 1988

Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Near Meridian Street and Thompson Road, Indianapolis
Incident County:
Marion
Incident Township:
Perry
Weapon Used:
None
Suspect Disposition:
No charges filed

   K-9 Xito was struck and killed by a vehicle while chasing a burglary suspect in Indianapolis.

   K-9 Xito alerted to the 18-year-old subject on the roof of a garage, prompting the man to flee across Meridian Street near Thompson Road. A teenage motorist swerved to avoid the suspect and struck K-9 Xito, killing him instantly.

   K-9 Xito, a 5-year-old male German Shepherd, had served with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for three years.

Historical Note
K-9 Xito is the first known K-9 law enforcement line of duty death in Indiana.

The responsibilities of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department – Law Enforcement Division (1822–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

View all fallen officers from the
Marion County Sheriff’s Department