K-9 Duke

Ligonier Police Department
Saturday, June 25, 1988

Handler:
Patrolman Thomas Lock

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Struck by vehicle
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, June 25, 1988
01:40 am
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
U.S. 33 and Diamond Lake Road, Ligonier
Incident County:
Noble
Incident Township:
Perry
Weapon Used:
None
Suspect Disposition:
No charges filed

   K-9 Duke was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting on a traffic stop on U.S. 33 and Diamond Lake Road after the driver had initially fled.

   When the man exited his vehicle and ran, K-9 Duke was deployed and stopped the subject. As officers were taking the man into custody, a vehicle passing by struck K-9 Duke, who died at the scene.

   His handler was dragged over 100 feet on the vehicle and was transported to Goshen Hospital with an injured neck and two fractured legs.

   The 23-year-old driver from the traffic stop was charged with criminal recklessness and resisting arrest. The passing motorist, a 41-year-old female, was not charged.

   K-9 Duke, a 4-year-old male German Shepherd, had served with the Ligonier Police Department for one year.

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

View all fallen officers from the
Ligonier Police Department