Funeral procession held for K-9 killed during foot pursuit; search for suspect ongoing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) - Deputies in South Carolina are searching for the driver who was the subject of a chase that resulted in the death of a K-9 officer.

The Richland County Police Department said during a foot chase for the driver on Interstate 77, a Richland County K-9 was killed by another driver on the interstate.

On Thursday, the department held a funeral procession for 3-year-old Belgian Malinois K-9 Wick, who had been with the department for a year and a half.

According to Sheriff Leon Lott, at around 1 a.m. on Thursday, deputies found a work van that was reported stolen on Windsor Lake Boulevard in Columbia after employees reportedly left the keys in the car.

Deputies say a chase began after the driver of the van failed to stop.

Along I-77, near Exit 2, deputies deployed stop sticks on the road. The van came to a stop, and the suspect jumped from the vehicle and continued running from deputies, according to Lott.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) announced the passing of a K-9 who was struck... — The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) announced the passing of a K-9 who was struck and killed by a car during a foot pursuit Thursday morning.(Richland County Sheriff’s Department)

K-9 specialist Zaid Abdullah then deployed K-9 Wick. The two were chasing the suspect when the K-9′s leash broke, officials said.

The leash broke when Wick jumped over the barrier cables on I-77 and hit the ground. The impact of the jump caused his leash to come apart.

When Wick entered the traffic lane, he was hit by a car and killed instantly, Lott said.

“Our dogs have the best equipment.,” Lott said. “It was the perfect storm.”

Lott also denied that K-9 Specialist Zaid Abdullah voluntarily let Wick run across the interstate, saying “We did not release the dog and we did not let him go across the interstate.”

When asked about the sheriff department’s policies and when dogs are deployed, Lott said those policies did not play a factor.

“We are not changing any of our policies,” Lott said, calling what happened a “tragic accident.”

The driver who hit and killed the K-9 was later identified. South Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the investigation but has not released a name.

Lott said the person who stole the van has not yet been captured and asked the public to come forward with any information related to the stolen vehicle and chase.

Deputies held a funeral procession that started at 3924 Fernandina Road in Columbia and ended at 200 State Street in West Columbia to remember K-9 Wick.

The Richland County Sheriff's Department held a funeral procession for 3-year-old Belgain Malinois K-9 Wick, who had been with the department for a year and a half.

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