Just days after he was shot and lost a leg while shielding three deputies from gunfire, Ace, a heroic Florida K-9, returned to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday in an emotional homecoming.
Ace, a 7-year-old German shepherd who has worked with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office since March 2020, was injured during an attempt to take 27-year-old Angel Bowers into custody.
According to authorities, Bowers allegedly opened fire, shooting at least four rounds toward three deputies who were trying to arrest him after he failed to appear in court.
Deputies fatally shot Bowers at the scene, officials said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Ace placed himself between the gunman and the deputies, protecting them before he was struck in the left front leg. The bullet shattered the bone and tore an artery, causing severe blood loss.
His handler and partner, 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 medical staff stabilized him. He was then flown by a Tampa General Hospital Aeromed helicopter to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch for advanced care.
Veterinarians performed a hours-long operation there, ultimately amputating Ace’s left front leg.
On Sunday, the sheriff’s office posted video showing deputies arriving at the veterinary medical center to greet an energetic Ace as he prepared to return 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.”
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!”
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.
