K-9 Ricky

Mishawaka Police Department
Saturday, January 9, 2010

Handler:
Corporal James Szuba (killed)

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Vehicular assault
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, January 9, 2010
09:20 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Byrkit and McKinley avenues, Mishawaka
Incident County:
St. Joseph
Incident Township:
Penn
Weapon Used:
Motor vehicle
Suspect Disposition:
Discharged in 2024

   K-9 Ricky and his handler, Corporal James Szuba, were killed when their squad car was struck while assisting with a pursuit.

   While proceeding northbound on Byrkit Avenue their squad car was sideswiped by a drunken driver being pursued by another officer. The suspect had swerved around a vehicle at the stoplight at McKinley Avenue when he hit the oncoming squad car of Corporal Szuba and K-9 Ricky, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, south of the intersection.

   Corporal Szuba was transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where he was dead on arrival.

   The 31-year-old suspect, who had a blood-alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit, was on probation for an 18-month sentence for delivery and manufacturing of marijuana. He was later convicted and sentenced to 32½ years in prison for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, resisting law enforcement and possession of controlled substances. He was discharged in 2024.

View all fallen officers from the
Mishawaka Police Department