Forest

Incident

K9 Forest was shot and killed while attempting an apprehension of a vagrant fugitive near Vann Park in Deltona, Florida.

Deputies were in the area searching for a wanted fugitive after receiving a tip that he was staying at a home there. While on scene a dirt bike drove by their location recklessly several times. As the deputies spoke to occupants of the home they heard a subject jumping fences nearby and observed the dirt bike abandoned.

The subject was located by a helicopter crew running into a nearby wooded area. A perimeter was established and K9 Forest was deployed into the wooded area to located the subject. The man opened fire on Forest and deputies as Forest attempted an apprehension. Forest was struck by the gunfire and then transported to Deltona Animal Hospital where he died from the wound.

The subject was captured the following day after a nearly 20-hour stand-off with officers.

K9 Forest had served with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for one year.