LA VERGNE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Tennessee K-9 officer wounded in a shooting earlier this week has died, police said.
The La Vergne Police Department tweeted that K-9 Sjaak underwent surgery Wednesday evening for his wounds but did not survive the operation.
"Our hearts are broken," said Interim Chief Chip Davis in a statement, according to news outlets. "Our K9s are members of the LPD family. Sjaak was an amazing and loyal dog."
Sjaak was shot three times Tuesday when the dog's handler, Officer Justin Darby, pulled out of the department parking lot and another vehicle pulled up beside the officer's car and began firing, authorities said. The suspect then drove to an apartment complex, where he got out and shot at pursuing officers, who returned fire, officials said.
The suspect, later identified as Javon Brice, 39, had a bullet wound and was declared dead at the hospital, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.
The dog had been part of the police force since 2014.