Urk

Incident

K9 Urk was shot and killed after he and his handler responded to a shots fired call near the intersection of Hacienda Drive and Pomelo Drive, in the Vista area of the county.

As they arrived at the scene the subject immediately opened fire with a shotgun, shooting into the patrol car six times. Urk, who was riding in the front seat, was shot and killed. An Explorer was on a ride along with Urk's handler, was shot in the elbow.

The subject was arrested the following day and charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of injuring a police dog, and assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to three life terms.

K9 Urk had served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for three years. He had assisted in over 1,200 arrests and had apprehended 33 suspects.