The Mesquite Police Department K-9 was stamp out during a police pursuit through some Natalie Wood in April .
Kozmo , a K-9 policeman in Texas , has been posthumously present the American Kennel Club’sPaw of Couragemedal after he pass away while prosecute robbery defendant in a Dallas suburb to begin with this year .
The medal , create in 2016 , honors police force dogs and military influence dog , as well as Robert William Service and therapy dogs , who have made an impact on their humans and the communities around them . In a intelligence expiration , the AKC described Kozmo as a " consecrate handmaid " who was loyal to his human spouse and educated Mesquite ’s resident .
Photo: Courtesy of American Kennel Club
" He was an exemplary police hound for the Mesquite Police Department , making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty , " AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo said in a assertion . " We are proud to honor him with an AKC Paw of Courage award to recognise his hard work and valor in the service of his residential area . "
At 2:30 a.m. on April 26 , Kozmo , a 5 - year - oldDutch shepherdmix and four - year veteran soldier of the Mesquite Police Department , responded with his human collaborator to attend in a law pursuit that began in Balch Springs , about 4 miles south of Mesquite , according toNBC DFW . After a spike strip stopped the fleeing vehicle , three defendant ran andKozmo pursued two of theminto a wooded orbit near the route . The two suspect were catch , but Kozmo could not be found and did not respond to his coach ’s call .
Kozmo ’s body was find oneself around 4 a.m. , and a necropsy conclude his injury were consistent with an assault , police said . One of the suspects from the car chase , a 16 - class - old boy , has been charge with a second - level felony in Kozmo ’s destruction .
" It ’s tough . It ’s cliché , but it ’s so true , these dogs are not just dogs . [ They ] are a part of our police force kin , " Mesquite law Lt . Stephen Biggstold CBS DFW . " Kozmo has been with us for the last four class . He was an amazing frank and he gave his life doing what he was trained to do . "
On April 30 , K-9 units from a number ofsurrounding police force departmentscame together to provide Kozmo with an honor sentry go as he was brought back to Mesquite , where he was place in rest until his memorial table service .
On Twitter , people responded with condolences , prayers andphotos from the memorialas everyone get along together to give Kozmo a warm sendoff across therainbow bridge . Doggos andfirst respondersare both aces in my record , so doggos whoarefirst respondent merit a extra place of laurels . quietus well , Kozmo . Good son .
