A Portland police K-9 died Thursday from gunshot wounds sustained during his final scheduled shift before retirement.
Kylo, a six-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau, was struck when gunfire erupted as officers and U.S. Marshals with the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force attempted to arrest a homicide suspect near the Chestnut Tree Inn. The bureau confirmed the 6-year-old dog was rushed to a veterinary medical center but did not survive his injuries.
The suspect, wanted in connection with a killing discovered earlier that day in Gresham, also died at the scene despite life-saving efforts. Gresham police had launched a manhunt after finding a body inside a home and determining the victim had died by homicidal violence.
“Detectives determined the victim died by homicidal violence and identified a suspect,” the Gresham Police Department wrote in a statement.
The fatal encounter in Portland came just days after another police dog died in the region. Gresham Police Department K-9 Leni died unexpectedly on Monday, making Kylo the second law enforcement dog lost in the area this week.
Following Kylo’s death, a police procession carried his body from the veterinary facility to the Oregon Humane Society’s Animal Crimes Forensic Center. The bureau released a statement honoring the dog’s service.
“K9 Kylo was a true protector of the peace,” the department wrote. “We ask our community to keep the officers and professional staff of the Portland Police Bureau in your thoughts as they honor K9 Kylo’s legacy and sacrifice.”
The officer-involved shooting remains under investigation by the Portland Police Bureau. Two Portland officers and two personnel from other agencies who were present during the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave.
The bureau has not released additional details about the sequence of events that led to the exchange of gunfire or the identities of the officers involved. The name of the deceased suspect has also been withheld pending further investigation.