K9 Wick, Richland County Sheriff's Department, South Carolina

K9 Wick

Richland County Sheriff's Department, South Carolina

End of Watch Thursday, June 20, 2024

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Wick

K9 Wick was struck and killed by a vehicle while pursuing the suspect of a stolen vehicle around 1:00 a.m.

Richland County deputies attempted to pull over a van that had been reported stolen the day prior. When the subject did not stop, a vehicle pursuit ensued. After using stop sticks on Interstate 77, the suspect stopped at mile marker two and fled on foot. K9 Wick was deployed to track the suspect. During the pursuit, the leash broke, and K9 Wick continued running into the northbound lanes of I-77, where he was struck by oncoming traffic. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The driver stopped and is cooperating with authorities.

The suspect in the stolen vehicle was able to get away but was later apprehended.

K9 Wick had served with the Richland County Sheriff's Department for 1 1/2 years.

Bio

Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Age 3
Tour 1 year, 6 months

Incident Details

Cause Struck by vehicle
Weapon Automobile
Offender Apprehended

foot pursuit, stolen vehicle, tracking

Most Recent Reflection

View all 14 Reflections

The First & The Last

The first to sense the hostility of a suspect,
The first to react to protect his master,
The first to enter where danger lurks,
The first to detect the hidden intruder.
The first to take action against violence.
The first to sense his master’s joy.
The first to know his master’s sorrow or fear.
The first to give his life in defense of his master.
The last to be forgotten by those who work with others like him.
They know him as a “Partner”, not just an animal.

- Author unknown -

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 10, 2024