k9 officer down

From the staff writers at thinlinenews.com, April 12, 2022

“There’s a special place in our hearts for working K9’s, whether they serve in the military, as a Police officer, with Search and Rescue, or in any other capacity. There’s also a special place in hell for someone who would take the life of these incredible heroes.

“Officer Major, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Department K9 from Oxford North Carolina, died in the line of duty this last week while trying to apprehend an armed robbery suspect.

“The suspect, 21-year-old William Darius Eichelberger, was being hunted for allegedly stealing a car at gunpoint. Local law enforcement located the vehicle later in the day, but Eichelberger was nowhere to be found.

“The next day, Officers responded to a suspicious fire and ended up locating Eichelberger in a crawlspace of the burning residence. K9 Officer Major was brought in as part of a specialized team to search the confined space and apprehend the suspect.

“As the Officers moved in, Eichelberger opened fire. Major was fatally wounded in the ensuing gunfight.
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“Major’s fellow Officers returned fire, but Eichelberger was not hit, likely because of his position of cover. No other Law Enforcement personnel were injured.”