Story By Joseph Golder Clipzilla/NewsX
News Editor Ajda Ender Clipzilla/NewsX
This is the moment a police dog bounds back into his unit’s headquarters on three legs for the first time since he was shot while protecting deputies, with the force announcing that ‘Ace’ will be retiring.
This image is a screen grab of the video supplied titled NewsX-BraveCopDog-01.mp4: Footage shows Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd welcoming K-9 Ace back to the Sheriff’s Operations Center for the first time since the police dog was shot in the line of duty and had a leg amputated. Florida, US, August 11, 2026. (Clipzilla/NX)
The footage was obtained from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) on 11th August and shows the brave dog back from the vet’s following his ordeal, in the US state of Florida.
The video shows Sheriff Grady Judd greeting the dog, named Ace, as he arrives at the Sheriff’s Operations Centre alongside his handler, Natalie Oestreich.
The PCSO said in a statement: “Today was Ace’s first trip back to the SOC since being shot in the line of duty. While he’ll be retiring after having his leg amputated, he’s still as happy and energetic as ever!
“We’re just so thankful Ace and Nat are okay. His days of chasing bad guys may be over, but Ace will always be one of our heroes!”
Ace was hit in the left side of the chest on 6th August as deputies moved in on a tent in woodland off Rushing Road in Kathleen.
Judd said the man inside, Angel Bowers, was wanted after failing to appear in court on a charge of unlawful sex with a minor, and had been traced by a bondsman.
Deputies identified themselves and repeatedly ordered him out before he shouted that he had a gun and would shoot, then opened fire, with deputies returning fire.
A SWAT team later found Bowers dead inside the tent from a gunshot wound to the head.
Ace was rushed to an emergency clinic, stabilised and then flown by helicopter to a specialist centre in Manatee County, where surgeons removed his left front leg.
Judd said: “Ace is a hero without any doubt at all.”
The Wiltse Family Foundation, set up in Tampa in 2019 by Steve and Mary Anne Wiltse, covered every penny of the treatment and has agreed to fund a replacement dog for the force.
Steve Wiltse said: “That’s what the foundation’s there for, so it kind of makes it a no-brainer. It’s there for events like that, so Natalie can worry about Ace.”
Mary Anne Wiltse said: “There’s a litany of emotions you go through: grief, sorrow, excitement, happiness, because he’s going to be okay. He was able to save the lives of three officers.”
Ace is now recovering at home with Oestreich.
(Joe Golder/Clipzilla/NX)
Loading ...