A beloved police dog has been killed in a shootout as tributes pour in.
The deceased K9 officer, Hudson, became caught in the crossfire between officers and a carjacking suspect in Chicago, US, at around 2pm local time on Wednesday afternoon (May 24).
The professional pooch has since been branded a hero by his human colleagues following the fatal incident, which also killed the suspect.
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Kabe County Sheriff Ron Hain said in a press conference: "We have a very large K9 unit, the largest outside of Cook County, and it’s a very close-knit family.
"This is a big loss for us. He was a great dog."
The carjacking suspect crashed the vehicle he was driving at an intersection during a police pursuit and promptly opened fire, according to authorities.
When the man, who has not been identified, climbed out of the Honda Aurora holding a handgun Hudson charged at him and bit him.
The dog was later fatally shot as bullets started to fly between officers and the suspect, Hain added.
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No bystanders were injured in the shootout.
Hudson, a Dutch Shepherd, was named after a fallen Illinois state trooper and had served on the force for several years as a member of the narcotics detection unit.
Later Wednesday, K9 Hudson’s body made its final journey to the Sheriff’s Office and was saluted by members of the police force.
Hain added: "This is a big loss for us, but he’s an absolute hero today, along with our deputies who brought this to a successful close without injury to any innocent civilians."
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In a post to Facebook following Hudson's death, the police force wrote: "K9 Hudson of the Kane County Sheriff's Office was shot and killed today while on duty apprehending a suspect.
"The suspect is dead.
"Our hearts are broken for both Hudson's handler and the department. Thank you for your service and dedication. You will be greatly missed.
"Another hero gone too soon."
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