K9 Hero

Sam

Norristown Borough Police Department — Norristown, PA

Gunfire (Inadvertent) German Shepherd

Service Record

End of Watch October 17, 1993

Gender Male

Weapon Officer's handgun

K9 Profile

Breed German Shepherd

Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)

Agency

Department Norristown Borough Police Department

Location Norristown, PA

Incident

K9 Sam was shot and killed by an officer who mistook him for a neighborhood dog.

Officers had responded to the area of Swede Street and Jacoby Street for a shots fired call. They had apprehended one man who had fled from them on foot and recovered a shoulder holster from him. Several residents came out of their homes and started interfering with the investigating officers. A struggle ensued between officers and one of the subjects.

K9 Sam jumped through the patrol car's open window and bit the subject's leg. One of the officers, not recognizing K9 Sam, shot him.