K9 Erny
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida
End of Watch Thursday, October 12, 2000
K9 Erny was shot and killed while attempting an apprehension on an armed person who was wanted for robbing a taxi driver earlier in the evening.
The subject had been tracked by K9 Erny through several yards until the man went through the perimeter that had been set up. K9 Erny continued tracking the man to a vacant lot near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Kelly Avenue. As K9 Erny, his handler, and backup officer entered the lot the man stood up from his concealed position in high weeds and pointed a revolver at the officers. K9 Erny was deployed for an apprehension. He was shot in the chest by the suspected armed robber.
As his handler, Mike Mayne, caught the suspect and became involved in a struggle, he was shot in the leg. The backup officer, Kevin Coxwell then shot and killed the subject.
K9 Erny had served with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for 17 months.