Last month, Rudy and his handler Deputy Day received first place honors at the Las Vegas Metro Police K-9 Trials in the Handler Protection Category. Photo provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is mourning the loss of K-9 Rudy, who was killed by gunfire on Friday when a suspect fired a handgun at deputies.
On April 14, deputies were searching for a suspect in the unincorporated area of Perris known as Mead Valley when they were advised of an unknown male and female on a property located near the 22200 block of River Road.
When deputies arrived, they confirmed the male was the wanted felon and established a perimeter. Rudy and his handler responded to assist with the search.
During the search, Rudy alerted deputies to where the suspect was hiding. The suspect fired a handgun at deputies, striking Rudy.
The Aviation Unit observed the male and female running toward an occupied residence and could see the male was still armed with a handgun. As deputies approached the suspects, the male pointed the firearm at deputies, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.
Deputies rendered medical aid to the suspect, but he was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The suspect’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Rudy was transported to a local veterinary hospital where he later died.
No deputies were injured during this incident and there are no outstanding suspects. The female was detained pending further investigation.
The involved deputies will be placed on paid administrative leave according to department policy.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson or Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Jarred Bishop at 951-955-2777.
