New York State Police are mourning the death of a police K9 who was killed in the line of duty.
According to investigators, the incident happened Monday night as State Police were executing a search warrant in Lewis County, in the North Country.
Trooper Shaun Smith, along with his K9 partner, Will, were at the scene to assist. At one point, a pit bull ran from the home and attacked Will.
The Trooper fired one round, hitting the pit-bull in the leg. The bullet then apparently ricocheted off the driveway, hitting K9 Will in the stomach.
The K9 officer was rushed to a nearby Veterinary Clinic where he sadly died.
Will was a 3-year-old Belgian-Malinois and graduated from the State Police basic K9 school in April of 2017.
The dog was named after Trooper William G. Doyle, who was shot and killed by escapees from a mental institution back in 1967.
