Mikka

Incident

K9 Mikka died after her handler's patrol car caught fire during an intense shootout with a wanted subject along Una Road, near Ashland-Stokes Bridge Road at about 9:00 am.

Lee County deputies were assisting with a statewide manhunt for a man who had shot a McBee Police Department officer during a traffic stop the previous evening. The man had fired approximately 60 rounds at the officer, wounding him. Deputies encountered the suspect and an intense shootout ensued during which a Lee County sheriff's deputy was wounded.

The patrol car that K9 Mikka was in was struck by numerous rounds and caught fire. Due to the ongoing shootout, her handler was unable to free her and she remained trapped in the vehicle.

The suspect was shot and killed during the shootout. His body was located in a nearby cornfield that he had fled into after being shot a short time later.

K9 Mikka had served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office for three years.