Less than a week after being shot and losing a leg while protecting three deputies, heroic Florida K-9 Ace was back on his feet Tuesday for an emotional return to the sheriff's office.
Ace, a 7-year-old German shepherd who has served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office since March 2020, was wounded as deputies attempted to arrest 27-year-old Angel Bowers.
Authorities said Bowers allegedly fired at least four rounds at three deputies who were attempting to arrest him after he failed to appear in court. Bowers was killed by deputies at the scene.
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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Ace protected the three deputies from Bowers but was shot in his left front leg, shattering the bone and tearing an artery that caused massive blood loss.
Ace's partner and handler, Deputy Natalie Oestreich, treated his wounds and carried him to safety, according to the sheriff's office.
Ace was rushed to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Lakeland, where he was stabilized before a Tampa General Hospital Aeromed helicopter transported him to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch. Veterinarians there performed a several-hour surgery to amputate his left front leg.
On Sunday, the sheriff's office posted video showing deputies arriving at the veterinary medical center to greet an energetic Ace as he prepared to return home.
"Upon waking from the anesthesia, Ace attempted to walk out of there," the sheriff's office wrote. "He has not been deterred since. In fact he outran the camera attempting to film his release this afternoon!"
Video shows Ace interacting with deputies before walking out of the medical center under his own power to thunderous applause while wearing a shirt that read "ride or die."
Two days later, Ace made his first trip back to the sheriff's office since being shot in the line of duty.
"Look at Ace. He's happy; he's eating; he bit my finger," Judd said. "We are so proud of Natalie and Ace. They stood in the gap between good and evil and they saved three deputies' lives. That's why we're so proud of him. He did so good."
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Judd said Oestreich will spend time with Ace as he continues to recover before she returns to work. Ace, however, will retire from law enforcement.
"Chill out and enjoy your retirement Ace," Judd said.
The sheriff's office also honored Ace in a social media post, writing, "His days of chasing bad guys may be over, but Ace will always be one of our heroes!"
Polk Sheriff's Charities Inc. has established a K-9 fund to help support Ace's care. The sheriff's office said those interested in helping can donate directly to the fund through the organization's website.
