Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts
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By WFTV Staff
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Two Volusia County K-9s that were shot during the search for an armed carjacking suspect were awarded Purple Hearts by Sheriff Mike Chitwood Wednesday.
K-9s Ax and Endo were each shot within hours of each other in September during the search for 21-year-old Shedrick Singleton, who had fled into a wooded area in Deltona after allegedly stealing a Lyft driver’s minivan at gunpoint.
K-9 Ax was shot in the side of the face and rushed to a veterinarian by his handler, Deputy A.J. Davis.
Hours later, K-9 Endo was shot in the paw and the chin and rushed to another vet clinic by his handler, Deputy Brett Whitson.
In addition to their Purple Hearts, both K-9s received a Medal of Honor Wednesday from the Georgia-based non-profit organization Irondog K-9 International.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, Sheriff Chitwood noted that one of the first messages he received after the incident was an offer from Irondog K-9 to cover the dogs’ medical bills.
“It was this incredible, heartwarming email saying that whatever your organization needs, whatever Endo and Ax need, we got you,” Sheriff Chitwood said. “We got medical bills, we got training - you tell us what you want.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the group has donated more than $25,000 since September for their K-9 unit’s medical bills, first aid kits, and K-9 medic training for each Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9 handler.
“Our job is to support these law enforcement K-9s and their handlers,” Irondog K-9′s Mitzi Nash said. “We are so excited to be able to be here for them.”
The Purple Heart for retiring K-9 Endo was actually his second. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Endo was shot in the neck in 2016 while responding to a domestic disturbance with Deputy Whitson.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts Two Volusia County K-9s that were shot during the search for an armed carjacking suspect were awarded Purple Hearts by Sheriff Mike Chitwood Wednesday. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts K-9s Ax and Endo were each shot within hours of each other in September during the search for 21-year-old Shedrick Singleton, who had fled into a wooded area in Deltona after allegedly stealing a Lyft driver’s minivan at gunpoint.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts K-9 Ax was shot in the side of the face during the search for armed carjacking suspect Shedrick Singleton and rushed to a veterinarian by his handler, Deputy A.J. Davis. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts Hours after K-9 Ax was shot, K-9 Endo was hit in the paw and the chin and rushed to another vet clinic by his handler, Deputy Brett Whitson.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts In addition to their Purple Hearts, both K-9s received a Medal of Honor from Georgia-based non-profit Irondog K-9 International.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts K-9 Ax receives a Medal of Honor from Irondog K-9 International
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts Irondog K-9 International also donated more than $18,000 for a 3-day K-9 medic training class for each and every Volusia Sheriff's Office K-9 handler. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts Volusia Sheriff's Office K-9 handlers participate in a K-9 medic training course provided by Irondog K-9 International. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts This was actually retiring K-9 Endo's 2nd Purple Heart. He was also shot in 2016 while responding to a domestic disturbance with Deputy Whitson. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts K-9 Endo's second purple heart for being shot in the line of duty.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s shot in the line of duty awarded Purple Hearts Two Volusia County K-9s that were shot during the search for an armed carjacking suspect were awarded Purple Hearts Wednesday by Sheriff Mike Chitwood. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
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