K-9 Ace, a 7-year-old German shepherd, has returned to the Polk County Sheriff's Office less than a week after being shot and losing his left front leg while protecting three deputies. The incident occurred as deputies attempted to arrest Angel Bowers, 27, who authorities said fired at least four rounds at the officers before being killed in the confrontation.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated that Ace shielded the deputies from Bowers' gunfire but sustained a critical injury to his left front leg, which shattered the bone and tore an artery, leading to significant blood loss. Ace's handler, Deputy Natalie Oestreich, provided immediate aid and carried him to safety. He was then transported to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic for stabilization before being airlifted to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch. Veterinarians performed a lengthy surgery to amputate the damaged leg.
The sheriff's office shared video footage on Sunday showing deputies greeting Ace at the veterinary center as he prepared to go home. According to the office's social media post, Ace was energetic upon waking from anesthesia and was eager to leave, even attempting to outrun a camera crew filming his departure. The video depicts Ace interacting with deputies and walking out of the medical center on his own power to applause, wearing a shirt that read "ride or die."
Ace made his first official visit back to the sheriff's office on Tuesday. "Look at Ace. He's happy; he's eating; he bit my finger," Judd commented. "We are so proud of Natalie and Ace. They stood in the gap between good and evil and they saved three deputies' lives." Judd confirmed that Ace will retire from law enforcement and will spend his recovery time with Oestreich before she returns to duty. "Chill out and enjoy your retirement Ace," Judd added.
Polk Sheriff's Charities Inc. has established a K-9 fund to support Ace's ongoing care. Donations can be made directly to the fund through the organization's website. Ace has been with the Polk County Sheriff's Office since March 2020, and the office has lauded him as a hero whose "days of chasing bad guys may be over, but Ace will always be one of our heroes!"