K9 Roll of Honor
K9 Hero
Santos
Wake County Sheriff's Office
— Raleigh, NC
Gunfire (Inadvertent)
German Shepherd
Service Record
End of Watch
May 26, 2023
Tour of Duty
7 years
Age
8
Gender
Male
Weapon
Officer's handgun
K9 Profile
Breed
German Shepherd
Cause
Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Agency
Department
Wake County Sheriff's Office
Location
Raleigh, NC
Incident
K9 Santos was inadvertently shot and killed while conducting a canine track of a suspect near North Smithfield Road in the Carrington Woods section of Knightdale.
Officers with the Knightdale Police Department had conducted a traffic stop during which a passenger of the vehicle fled into a wooded area at about 12:30 am. K9 Santos' handler responded to the scene to assist with a track of the suspect. During the track, a Knightdale police officer had an accidental discharge, and the bullet struck K9 Santos.
K9 Santos was taken to North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital where he passed away.
K9 Santos had served with the Wake County Sheriff's Office for seven years.