Axe Was Department’s First K9 To Suffer ‘Violent’ Death On Duty

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI — A K-9 officer named Axe died in the line of duty Sunday night and it marks the first “violent” killing of a K-9 officer with the St. Clair Shores Police Department, Lt. Jason Allen said Monday morning.

Police said they arrived to Lakeland Manor Banquet Hall around 6:30 p.m. Sunday on the report of an armed man and approximately 70 people inside. Police made contact with the man who reportedly ignored several cues from officers and tried to flee on foot. When Axe was deployed to apprehend the suspect, the man reportedly shot the dog.

Police returned fire and the suspect is now dead, police said.

Police have not yet released details about the man who was shot and killed. The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office will be taking over the investigation because of the involvement of St. Clair Shores Police Department in the shooting.

As for K-9 Officer Axe, he was rushed to an emergency veterinarian office where he died — a large crowd of police and K-9 handlers showed up at the vet’s office to show their support, WXYZ reported. After being pronounced dead he was removed from the hospital draped with an American flag and escorted away in a procession of police cars with flashing lights, according to the report.

Online fundraisers have been started to equip the department with better safety supplies and the Officer Collin Rose Memorial Foundation said Sunday that they are planning on donating protective vests and first aid bags in memory of Axe. So far they've raised enough for four vests and 12 bags, they said Monday morning.

Axe was reportedly named after U.S. Navy SEAL Matthew Axelson who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.

Learn more about donating protective gear here.

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