By Joanna Putman
Police1
OCALA, Fla. — A K-9 who was shot in the line of duty has died, FOX 35 News reported.
K-9 Leo of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was shot by a suspect on Feb. 17 while responding to a call, according to the report. Leo was wearing a bullet-resistant vest, but was wounded in an area not covered by the vest.
Leo was rushed to a veterinary hospital, where he succumbed to his wound on Feb. 20.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods stated that Leo had potentially saved the life of his handler, Corporal Justin Tortora.
“He was trained to fight crime, to help those in need, and protect his handler at all cost,” Woods said.
Leo had served with the department for three years, according to the report.
“He will never be forgotten, and he will stay in the hearts of all of us in the sheriff’s office,” Public Information Officer Valerie Strong said.