2004 Patrol Case of the Year

Officer Tim Nading & K9 Reno
Des Moines PD Iowa

On October 19, 2004 Officer Tim Nading and K-9 Reno responded to a reported shooting the results of a drug deal that had gone bad. The information was that one male was shot in the shoulder by a male that was high on methamphetamine. Witnesses saw the shooter go to a vehicle and remove an object and lost sight of him. No direction of travel but the area was bordered by a heavy wooded area.

Officer Nading & K-9 Reno picked up a track at suspects vehicle and proceeded through a parking lot to the wooded area. The wooded area lack any perimeter set up and the track was called off when the detectives advised they had information on the shooters identity.

While officers were finishing the on scene investigation shots were heard from the woods. This time a perimeter was set up securing the woods. Warnings were given that the K-9 would be deployed and for the suspect to make his location known. After several warnings with no response K-9 Reno was deployed on and open area search with a back up support officer. The woods were thick and K-9 Reno was actively pursuing a scent working the open area and returning to the woods. The scent was strong as K-9 Reno lifted his head and spun around and charged off. The officers flooded the area Reno was charging towards with light and saw the suspect on the ground his arm raised with a 45 auto pointed at the officers.

The officers and suspect a mere 7/10 feet away in an ambush of the officers. The officer yelled for the suspect to drop his weapon and K-9 Reno now responded with the suspect firing at officers with one round striking K-9 Reno. Reno went down as the shots continued between the suspect and the officers. Again, K-9 Reno got up charging the suspect a second time. This time Reno again fell and was unable to get up but was dragging him self now to his handler, Officer Nading. The exchange of gunfire continued with the suspect hit multiple times. The suspect still advanced on officers firing and finally dropping virtually at the officer's feet.

Officer Nading had shot 16 rounds. The back up officer shot 4 times with the shotgun and 3 rounds from his service gun. The suspect had a box of .45 call ammunition and shot multiple rounds.

K-9 Reno, who was covered in blood, managed to gained his feet again, but was carried to a vehicle and transported to a emergency veterinarian who transferred Reno to the Iowa State University Veterinarian Hospital. Reno sustained a .45 round through the back and six buckshot, four still in Reno. Reno's right rear leg was mangled and his knee shattered.

Officer Nading says, "There is no doubt that K-9 Reno saved the lives of these two officers and possibly the lives of citizens that night." No officers were hurt. The suspect is facing multiple charges of attempted murder and injury to a police service dog. The suspect, a convicted felon, although shot multiple times is recovering for his day in court.