- Kentucky, USA -
I truly apologize for getting this story out so late to you.
On March 10, a heartbreaking Facebook post by Shepherdsville Police Department Chief Rick McCubbin announced that Officer K-9 Dash, a male Belgian Malinos, had been shot and killed in the line of duty.
On the evening of March 9, Shepherdsville Police, Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, Mt Washington PD, and Kentucky State Police responded to assist a Lebanon Junction Officer in relation to a robbery call at a Dollar General Store on Preston Highway.
As the first officers arrived the suspect opened fire on them and fled on foot.
Officer K-9 Dash was brought to the scene and started to track the suspect.
As Officer K-9 Dash and his handler, Officer Jeff Schank, turned a blind corner the suspect opened fire on them, shooting Officer K-9 Dash.
Officer K-9 Dash was not wearing a vest “due to the urgency of the situation” and Chief McCubbin said that would not have made a difference because of where Officer K-9 was hit.
Other officers returned fire and critically wounded the suspect who was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital.
Kentucky State Police identified Officer K-9 Dash’s murderer as 23-years-old DAVID JORDAN KNOPP (pictured).
KNOPP has been charged with assault on a service animal, fleeing/evading police, and wanton endangerment and attempted murder of a police officer.
Online arrest records show KNOPP was booked on March 19, at the Bullitt County Detention Center where he remains without bond.
As Chief McCubbin said, Officer K-9 died while doing what he was trained to do: track and apprehend a suspect and to protect his two-legged partner, Officer Jeff Schank.
Officer K-9 Dash had been on patrol from January 2018, until March 2022.
Officer Schank received a plaque in honor of his lost partner and while proudly showing it, he tearfully said: “It wasn’t me; it was my dog Dash. So, it means a lot to me that he was recognized. He was a hero.”
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Thank you so much for reporting on K9 Dash & his senseless murder. My wish is that all police would stop using dogs on apprehension & biting. To utilize K9’s for tracking is a fantastic idea. But to send a K9 in armed only with his/her loyalty to please & teeth as weapons against guns & knives is frustrating to say the least! I have an app that reports on fallen police & K9’s, & this month two K9’s, Jinx & Major were shot & killed in the line of duty. It’s not acceptable. RIP DASH & all the many other Precious Souls who give their lives for their handlers.