By Michael Butler
Miami Herald
MIAMI — A beloved Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office K-9 died after the SUV she was riding in was struck during a chase and crashed into a concrete wall, the sheriff’s office said Monday.
K-9 Roxi had been with the narcotics department since 2017 and worked with Organized Crimes Bureau Deputy Sheriff Jared Hahn. She died Saturday.
The incident leading to her death began last Thursday night when narcotics detectives attempted to stop Anthony Medina in northwest Miami-Dade. He fled, resulting in a chase and Medina intentionally striking the SUV carrying Roxi. That caused the SUV to crash into a concrete wall at Northwest 72nd Street and First Avenue, the sheriff’s office said.
The City of Miami Fire Rescue treated and released the deputy while Roxi was taken to a veterinary hospital, where she later died, the sheriff’s office said.
“K9 Roxi was more than just a partner, she was a loyal companion who brought a sense of security and strength to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office,” wrote Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz in an Instagram post eulogizing the fallen police dog.
A sheriff’s office spokesperson said Roxi was a Labrador, was 9 years old and was secured in her police vehicle when the crash happened. There is a secured area for police dogs in the front or back seat, the spokesperson said.
Labradors are usually preferred for narcotics detection because of their above-average ability to smell, the spokesperson said.
The chase ended on westbound 836 and NW 12th Avenue. Medina and the two passengers, Julio Flores and Krystal E. Flores, were taken into police custody. Medina, 33, a convicted felon, has been charged with a slew of Fentanyl trafficking crimes, in addition to battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing/eluding resulting in injury or death, and firearms possession as a convicted felon.
Julio Flores, 35, has been charged with firearm possession as a convicted felon and resisting officer without violence. Krystal Flores has been charged with resisting officer without violence.
The sheriff’s office had been working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Miami Beach Police in a seven-month investigation. The search of Medina’s car resulted in haul that included $8,500 in cash, 252 bags of marijuana and a gun.
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