Va. K-9 shot and killed during pursuit

By PoliceOne Staff

SUSSEX COUNTY, Va. — A K-9 was killed in Virginia during a shootout with a suspect.

On Wednesday, a Virginia State Trooper spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Connecticut and attempted to pull the driver over, WTVR reported. Corinne N. Geller, Virginia State Police Public Relations Director, said the driver refused to pull over and sped away.

During the ensuing pursuit, authorities said the driver fired at the trooper’s vehicle. Troopers eventually positioned themselves to stop the suspect, who continued to fire at police.

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Investigation Continues into Sussex County Shooting; VSP Remembers K-9 Vader, End of Watch: Aug. 1, 2018 At…

Posted by Virginia State Police on Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Geller said one of the suspect’s bullets “pierced a K9 trooper’s back passenger window and struck” K-9 Vader, who was riding in the back seat compartment.

After the vehicle stopped, officials said troopers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Geller said the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Tramaine Marquese Poole, was wounded and died at the scene.

No troopers were injured in the shooting. Police said Vader, 2, graduated from the Virginia State Police Narcotics Detection Training in December 2017.

Officials said authorities have been searching for Poole since May, according to WSFB. He was wanted by New Haven police for the murder of Tyekqua Nesbitt in front of her children and another shooting, both of which occurred in May.