Less than a week after being shot and losing a leg in the line of duty, Ace, a hero Florida K-9, returned to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. The 7-year-old German shepherd was wounded while protecting three deputies during an arrest attempt.
Authorities said Ace was shot in his left front leg after deputies attempted to arrest 27-year-old Angel Bowers, who allegedly fired at least four rounds at deputies. Bowers was killed at the scene. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd credited Ace with protecting the deputies from Bowers.
Deputy Natalie Oestreich, Ace’s handler, treated his wounds and carried him to safety. The dog was rushed to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Lakeland, then transferred via helicopter to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch. Veterinarians performed a several-hour surgery to amputate his leg.
On Sunday, the sheriff’s office shared video of Ace arriving at the veterinary center, where he was greeted by deputies. The footage shows Ace attempting to walk out of anesthesia and then walking out of the medical center on his own, wearing a shirt that read ‘ride or die.’
Two days later, Ace made his first visit back to the sheriff’s office since the shooting. Sheriff Judd praised Ace’s resilience and the efforts of Deputy Oestreich. He said Oestreich will continue to care for Ace as he recovers, but the dog will retire from law enforcement.
Judd also announced that Polk Sheriff’s Charities Inc. has established a K-9 fund to support Ace’s ongoing care. The sheriff’s office posted on social media, calling Ace “one of our heroes,” and noted that his days of chasing suspects are over.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
