GREENFIELD — Officials with the Greenfield Police Department (GPD) say their K-9 dog Ace was injured Sunday night in the line of duty when he was struck by a vehicle while Ace and his handler, Patrolman Caleb Freeman, were in pursuit of a criminal suspect who is now sitting in the Hancock County Jail.
Ace is a 7-and-a-half-year-old Belgium Malinois and has served GPD with Patrolman Freeman since 2018.
Fortunately, after Ace was hit he was taken immediately to an Indianapolis Vet Hospital (Indy Vet). That’s where officials learned the dog didn’t have any broken bones, but did need medical attention. While Ace is doing better, he is still in the hospital recovering from wounds and other injuries. Officials with the GPD first shared the news on their social media post where they asked the community for prayers for Ace.
“We are thankful he doesn’t have any broken bones, but he did receive some stitches and a lot of soft tissue injuries,” GPD, Deputy Chief Chuck McMichael said. “Patrolman Freeman was not injured.”
According to officials with the GPD, Freeman and his K-9 partner Ace were on patrol Sunday evening when a passenger car was observed to commit a traffic infraction on North State Street. Freeman officials said initiated a traffic and, upon speaking with the driver, identified as Patrick D. Mix, 44, Greenfield, Freeman observed signs of intoxication.
While waiting for a back-up officer to arrive, Mix sped away from the traffic stop in the vehicle and with Freeman giving chase. Mix eventually came to an abrupt stop in the 300 block of E. Park Avenue and began running from the vehicle on foot, officials said.
Freeman sent K-9 Ace after Mix. Just before catching Mix, Ace unfortunately was struck by a vehicle on North Spring Street, officials said.
Officers assisting were able to catch Mix and take him into custody without further incident.
Freeman immediately tended to Ace and realized that he needed emergency care. Ace was taken to IndyVet Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis where he is still recovering today, but he’s bruised and banged-up.
Mix is being held in the Hancock County Jail where he is being preliminary charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent Felon (level 4 felony), resisting law enforcement-vehicle (level 6 felony), resisting law enforcement-forcibly resist (A misdemeanor), operating a vehicle while intoxicated .08-.15 (C misdemeanor).
McMichael noted in the release, the driver who struck Ace did so accidentally and is cooperating with police.
Mix was arrested and is currently being held in the Hancock County Jail on multiple charges.
As for Ace, it’s too soon to say if and when he’ll be back to work. Right now officials are just wanting him to get better.
“We are grateful to the staff at IndyVet for taking excellent care of Ace,” McMichael said.
.
