Officer Gary Dahl and K9 Bandit were honored with the Silver Medal at the SPD 2011 Commendation Awards Dinner & Ceremony on Thursday evening. Officer Dahl & K9 Bandit are pictured with Chief Braziel and Deputy Chiefs Somers & Louie.

Story:
On the evening of March 15, 2010, our dispatchers received a 911 call from a female on O'Neil Wy who stated that someone was breaking into her home. From the phone line that was left open, dispatchers surmised that this was a home invasion. K9 Officer Dahl was one of the first officers to arrive and immediately deployed into the backyard of the victim's home with K9 Bandit. Officers Matthew McPhail, Paul Richardson, Victor Wolfe and Ryan Trefethenn also arrived to assist. Shortly after the officers were positioned out front, gunshots were heard along with a female screaming. The officers out front believed the shots were coming from inside the house. In reality, the suspect had attempted to flee out the back door and was met by Officer Dahl and Bandit. As Bandit deployed after the suspect, the suspect shot Bandit in the side torso and fled back into the house. Officer Dahl, knowing that victims were still inside, engaged the suspect as he retreated into the house. Officer Dahl fired four rounds through the wall at the suspect as he turned down a hall corner, striking him once in the leg.

Seconds later, the suspect ran out of the front door with a loaded handgun in his hand and was confronted by the awaiting officers. The officers shouted commands at the suspect to show his hands and drop his gun, but he didn't comply and kept running. Fearing for their lives, the officers who were positioned out front fired on the suspect, who fell to the ground. At this point, Officer Dahl had Bandit in his arms and was carrying his wounded partner from the backyard to his patrol vehicle for transport to the veterinary hospital for medical treatment. Bandit was treated, has recovered, and has been back on full-duty with Officer Dahl.

Officers McPhail, Richardson, Trefethen, and Wolfe were also awarded with the Bronze Medal for their actions.

5/12/11