K9 Derrek

Derrek

K9 Derrek was shot and killed while attempting an apprehension of a man wanted for carjacking, abduction, and armed robbery.

A short time earlier the subject and a female accomplice had carjacked two women, forced them to strip naked, and then had both of them get into the trunk of the car before they drove it away. Two officers unaware of the carjacking stopped the vehicle believing the driver was wanted. After a short vehicle pursuit, the driver fled on foot while the female was taken into custody. The officers then heard banging coming from the trunk and discovered the two victims inside.

K9 Derrek and his handler responded to the scene and started to track the suspect. Derrek located the subject hiding inside a large work van at 632 Jackson Street and attempted an apprehension. The suspect immediately opened fire on Derrek, killing him, before firing at his handler. The subject was taken into custody a short time later suffering from a bit to his leg.

The man was convicted of attempted murder, abduction, carjacking, and robbery and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was released from prison in December 2018 after serving 20 years. He was also held civilly liable for the death of K9 Derrek and ordered to repay $100,000 to the Evansville Police Department.

K9 Derrek had served with the Evansville Police Department and was cross-trained in patrol and explosives detection.