2003 First Quarter Winners — Patrol

Winner First Quarter Patrol 2003
Region 16 Officer Joe Dobbs & K9 Indoe
St. Louis Missouri Police Department

On February 1, 2003, at approximately 8:50 pm. Officer Dobbs and Canine Indoe received an assignment to respond to Fairview and Gustine. Upon arrival, a supervisor informed Officer Dobbs that a known Drug Trafficker sped off from him when he tried to pull him over. The supervisor added that he located the vehicle abandoned in the middle of the street with the driver's door left open.

The supervisor knew the subject, however the only description he could give was the subject's name, approximate height and weight. He never was able to get -a clothing description because the subject sped off from him. K9 Indoe and Officer Dobbs began to track from the driver's door west on Fairview and through some yards. The track appeared to he lost in the alley of the 3900 block of Fairview. They continued to do an area search because the supervisor informed them that the subject did not live in the area and should be lost in the area. Approximately twenty minutes from the original track K9 Indoe and Officer Dobbs came across a subject matching the physical height and weight walking west on Miami, which is approximately three blocks south and one block west of the abandon vehicle.

Upon approaching the subject for an investigation, the subject stopped walking as K9 Indoe and Officer Dobbs approached. Officer Dobbs placed K9 lndoe in a sit position approximately four feet away from the subject. The subject appeared nervous and began fidgeting with his right hand in his waistband area and his left hand in his pants pocket. Officer Dobbs advised the subject to keep his hands where he could see them, which he momentarily complied only to move them back in the area again. Officer Dobbs once again advised the subject to keep his hands where he can see them at which time the subject informed Officer Dobbs that he was only reaching for his cell phone which was clipped to his left front pants pocket. The subject again began to raise his hands away from his body.

As the subject raised his hands, Officer Dobbs reached for his miniature microphone that was clipped to his left coat lapel. Officer Dobbs was going to advise the dispatcher of his current location and have the supervisor respond to his location to see if this was the subject that fled form him.

When Officer Dobbs reached for his miniature microphone, the subject immediately reached down to his waistband and quickly pulled and raised the barrel of a handgun in Officer Dobbs direction. Officer Dobbs instinctively released his microphone and lunged forward grabbing for the revolver. Officer Dobbs placed his hands around the suspect's hands and moved the barrel to the left. The suspect was able to fire one round, with the flash and bullet passing directly by Officer Dobbs left ear.

As Officer Dobbs was struggling with the suspect over the revolver, he noticed that K9 Indoe had already reacted to the confrontation by biting the suspect on the left forearm. Indoe's bite on the suspect s left arm caused the suspect to release his left hand from the revolver. With the suspect only having one hand on the grip of the revolver, Officer Dobbs was able to take control of pointing the barrel away from K9 Indoe and himself. During the struggle, three additional rounds were discharged. K9 Indoe continued to hold the suspect's left arm during the discharging of the revolver. Due to Indoes bite, Officer Dobbs was able to disarm the suspect. Upon disarming the suspect, the suspect began to punch Officer Dobbs about his face with his right hand. K9 Indoe released the left arm and hit the suspect's right arm. It was at this time that Officer Dobbs was able to activate the emergency button on his radio.

Officer Dobbs and the suspect continued a violent hand to hand struggle, which carried them almost 75 feet. During the struggle to gain control of the suspect, the suspect's flannel shirt and t-shirt were being ripped off from K9 Indoe biting and the suspect pulling away. The suspect was able to break free from K9 Indoe when his upper clothes were torn off. K9 Indoe gave pursuit and attempted to neutralize the suspect by biting his right buttocks and tackling him to the sidewalk. While on the sidewalk, the suspect began kicking K9 Indoe in the testicles with his left foot and was punching K9 Indoe repeatedly about his head. K9 Indoe continued to bite, but the suspect was able to twist and stand up. During this, the suspect's pants were torn off. The suspect was able to break free and run around the privacy fence wearing only blue boxer shorts with K9 Indoe in pursuit. Officer Dobbs attempted to follow both the suspect and Indoe, but eventually lost sight of them. After a few moments, K9 Indoe returned to Officer Dobbs who was able to advise the dispatcher of there exact location.

The first officers on the scene informed Officer Dobbs that they observed him lying on the ground because of injuries, with K9 Indoe lying across his upper torso and shoulders, acting as a shield. K9 Indoe's head was erect and his mouth was open with blood from the suspect visible on his teeth and tongue. Officer Dobbs was bleeding on his face, hands, and knees because of lacerations sustained during the struggle.

The struggle was so intense, that Officer Dobbs was never able to retrieve any defense weapons from his duty belt. His equipment was later found strewn about the scene. The department mace canister and holder were torn from his duty belt. The suspect's bloody clothing was also strewn about the scene. The suspect's revolver and cell phone were also located.

Within two hours, Officer Dobbs was able to identify the suspect, ironically it was the not the subject the police department was looking over relative to the abandoned vehicle.

The suspect was later found hiding in a friend's house. He stated that he had just broken up with his girlfriend and was as "High as the Arch" during the incident. It was obvious to Officer Dobbs that the suspect was high on something because he was stronger than he normally would he and there was no reaction to pain during Indoe's biting. However, when he was arrested, he had numerous puncture wounds to both arms and right buttocks and leg. It was also learned that the suspect ran into an apartment right before K9 Indoe was able to bite him again. Officer Dobbs sustained numerous wounds, however, he knew that these wounds were all superficial. To say that Indoe was tremendous is an understatement

K9 Indoe is the reason that Officer Dobbs is able to write this statement. This is also the reason that Officer Dobbs is still a husband and a father to his four and five year old sons. K9 Indoe and Officer Dobbs have always had a bond, but there is a bond now that has been raised to an even higher level.

Warrants were issued for Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer in the First Degree, Felony Resisting, and Armed Criminal Action. A warrant is pending for Assault on a Police Dog.

Officer Joe Dobbs owes K9 Indoe his life. Nominating Indoe for this award is the least that Officer Dobbs can do, for Indoe has rewarded Officer Dobbs with continued life. A Top Dog and a Top Team