Georgia Patrol K9 ‘Figo’ shot and killed in the line of duty
On October 7, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported that the agency was investigating an officer involved shooting in College Park, Georgia. The Department of Public Safety had asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation regarding that shooting where a man was shot and died at the scene.
A Georgia State Patrol K9 named “Figo” was also shot and died. No human officers were injured during the incident.
Preliminary information indicated that Clayton County Police Officers were conducting a homicide investigation involving a victim found the previous day. A suspect was spotted driving the victim’s vehicle on Riverdale Road near Interstate 285. On October 8, GBI identified the suspect as identified as 33-year-old Dexton Bolden of Jonesboro, Georgia
Georgia State Troopers and Clayton County Deputies responded to assist with a traffic stop involving Bolden. State Troopers conducted the traffic stop and the suspect initially pulled over. As the Troopers were attempting to make contact with the driver, he drove away.
Troopers pursued the vehicle and managed to stop the car using a PIT maneuver. The Troopers, joined by Clayton County Deputies, attempted again to make contact with the driver. The driver was uncooperative.
K9 Figo was sent into the vehicle by his GSP handler to get compliance. The driver shot K9 Figo. There was an exchange of gunfire between the driver, Troopers, and deputies.
Also on October 7, GBI released an image of the valiant K9 and announced that announce that Figo was shot and killed bravely serving the State of Georgia. Th agency went on to ask the community to “Please keep his handler in your prayers as he navigates these difficult times.”
The driver, Bolden, died at the scene. Figo was taken to a local animal hospital and ultimately to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in Sandy Springs where he died.
The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the file will be given to the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for review.
For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: GBI)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
