Less than a week after he was shot and lost a leg while shielding three deputies, Florida K-9 Ace made an emotional return Tuesday to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office — already back on his feet.
Ace, a 7-year-old German shepherd who has worked with the agency since March 2020, was injured during an attempt to arrest 27-year-old Angel Bowers, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said Bowers allegedly fired at least four shots at three deputies who were trying to take him into custody after he failed to appear in court. Deputies killed Bowers at the scene.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Ace returned to the agency less than a week after being shot while protecting three deputies and undergoing surgery to amputate his left front leg. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Ace helped protect the deputies from Bowers but was struck in the left front leg. The gunfire shattered the bone and tore an artery, causing severe blood loss.
His partner and handler, Deputy Natalie Oestreich, quickly treated Ace’s injuries and carried him out of danger, the sheriff’s office said.
Ace was first taken to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Lakeland, where he was stabilized. A Tampa General Hospital Aeromed helicopter then transported him to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch, where veterinarians spent several hours performing surgery to amputate his left front leg.
On Sunday, the sheriff’s office shared video of deputies arriving at the veterinary medical center to welcome an energetic Ace as he got ready to go home.
“Upon waking from the anesthesia, Ace attempted to walk out of there,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “He has not been deterred since. In fact he outran the camera attempting to film his release this afternoon!”
Video shows Ace interacting with deputies before walking out of the medical center under his own power to thunderous applause while wearing a shirt that read “ride or die.”
Two days later, Ace made his first trip back to the sheriff’s office since being shot in the line of duty.
“Look at Ace. He’s happy; he’s eating; he bit my finger,” Judd said. “We are so proud of Natalie and Ace. They stood in the gap between good and evil and they saved three deputies’ lives. That’s why we’re so proud of him. He did so good.”
K-9 Ace was back on his feet days after suffering a gunshot wound that resulted in the amputation of his left front leg. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Judd said Oestreich will spend time with Ace as he continues to recover before she returns to work. Ace, however, will retire from law enforcement.
“Chill out and enjoy your retirement Ace,” Judd said.
The sheriff’s office also honored Ace in a social media post, writing, “His days of chasing bad guys may be over, but Ace will always be one of our heroes!”
K-9 Ace will retire after being critically wounded while protecting three Polk County deputies during an attempted arrest. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Polk Sheriff’s Charities Inc. has established a K-9 fund to help support Ace’s care. The sheriff’s office said those interested in helping can donate directly to the fund through the organization’s website.
