K-9 Derrek

Evansville Police Department
Saturday, August 8, 1998

Handler:
Sergeant David Molinet

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, August 8, 1998
02:30 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
632 Jackson Street, Evansville
Incident County:
Vanderburgh
Incident Township:
Pigeon
Weapon Used:
.38-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Discharged in 2018

   K-9 Derrek was shot and killed by a subject wanted on drug charges who fled on foot after a traffic stop.

   Two officers attempted to stop the vehicle and after a brief pursuit, the driver fled on foot and his female passenger was taken into custody. When banging was heard coming from the trunk of the suspect’s vehicle, two naked females were found inside. It was discovered they had earlier been carjacked, robbed at gunpoint and forced into the trunk before being driven away.

   After a perimeter had been established about 2:30 am, K-9 Derrek and his handler responded to track the suspect. Near where another officer was standing outside a large work van in the rear of 632 Jackson Street, K-9 Derrek located the suspect hiding inside. The man opened fire, killing K-9 Derrek instantly, before shooting at his handler.

   The 32-year-old suspect was taken into custody and later convicted. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison for attempted murder and kidnapping, 15 years for armed robbery and carjacking, and three years for criminal mischief in the killing of K-9 Derrek. The attempted murder conviction was set aside on appeal and the suspect was discharged in 2018. The City of Evansville was also awarded $100,000 in a civil suit against the suspect.

   K-9 Derrek, a 6-year-old male German Shepherd, had served with the Evansville Police Department for four years.

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Evansville Police Department