(Toledo News Now) - The community and Toledo Police Department are in mourning, after police K9 Falko was shot and killed Wednesday during a standoff in east Toledo.
Police say it all started when officers spotted a stolen car near Woodville and Varland. After a short pursuit by police, two men fled from the car. One was arrested immediately. He faced a judge Thursday. The other, 27-year-old Reginald Marshall of Cleveland who was wanted for aggravated murder, barricaded himself inside an abandoned home on Earl Street.
Toledo Police and a SWAT team surrounded the home. Police say Falko was shot after his handler sent him into the home. Hours later, when police were able to safely enter the home, Falko and Marshall were found dead.
Police say Marshall barricaded himself inside the home with Officer Falko inside. Another officer did return fire, but it is unknown if the officer killed Marshall or if it was self-inflicted.
Toledo's Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson was also on the scene with the police Wednesday night.
This is the first K9 death for TPD and they are taking the loss very hard. Images of shrouded TPD badges are circulating on social media and flags will be flown at half staff until noon Friday to show support for the department across the city.
"We just lost a police officer. That dog was a police officer, so we're taking it hard and that's why we are going to do what we do, we're going to cross all our Ts and dot all of our Is. We're going to do this by the book, but we have heavy hearts right now," said Chief Kral Wednesday.
Officer Falko was a 2-year-old German Sheppard who served as a bomb sniffing dog. In September he would have been with the department a full year.
"We'll rely on each other, we'll get through it. We'll have our moments, but we'll come out strong on the other side," said Lieutenant Brian Twining of the TPD's K9 Department.
He says the relationship between an officer and their K9 is like no other.
"The dog looks for you on guidance on everything and in turn, you're looking at the dog to be with you and take care of you when needed too," said Twining. "Last night was the epitome of what he's done on the street and in this particular case he did exactly as he was trained. And if not for him, we probably would be having a press conference of a different nature."
Police say Falko was not wearing a bullet proof vest.
"In a case like this when a K9 is deployed, there is simply not enough time to put the armor on the dog and then deploy him," said Chief George Kral.
That night, he was honored just like a regular officer with a procession. And soon he will be buried like one as well.
"Falko was a police officer, he may have been a four-legged police officer, but that was a sworn police officer and the department is grieving," said Kral.
"The department we are strong, um we stick together, we'll rebound," said Twining.
The department is currently working on line of death funeral arrangements for Officer Falko.
