K-9 Ace Lost a Leg, But Won Florida’s Heart

A Florida K-9 took a bullet during a fugitive arrest and came home on three legs to a hero’s welcome.

Story Highlights

K-9 Ace was shot during a Polk County fugitive arrest and later had his left front leg amputated.
Sheriff Grady Judd credited Ace with protecting three deputies during the gunfire exchange.
No deputies were hurt; the armed suspect was killed at the scene, officials said.
Charitable funds are covering Ace’s care and a replacement K-9 for the unit.

What Happened In The Kathleen Woods

Polk County deputies moved to arrest a wanted fugitive in the Kathleen woods on August 6. Officials said the suspect announced he had a gun and opened fire as deputies closed in. K-9 Ace, a seven-year-old German shepherd, was sent forward and was struck by a round. Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies returned fire, and the suspect was killed in the exchange. No deputies were hit during the incident, according to sheriff-linked reporting.

Reports from the scene and the sheriff’s briefing describe Ace taking a bullet that entered his chest and exited through his left shoulder and leg area. First responders rushed him to a local emergency clinic for stabilization. A medical flight then carried him to a specialty veterinary hospital for surgery. Surgeons amputated Ace’s left front leg to save his life. Officials and local outlets reported that Ace survived the operation and would retire from service.

‘A Hero Without Any Doubt,’ Says The Sheriff

Sheriff Judd publicly praised Ace’s actions and said the K-9 protected three deputies under fire. That claim reflects the department’s on-scene account and is repeated across local coverage. The sheriff’s statements drove the early narrative, and they match the outcome that no deputies were injured. While the exact tactical sequence has not been publicly documented with body-camera or radio logs, the core facts of Ace’s injury and survival are well established.

Video and posts from law enforcement partners show Ace standing, bandaged, and greeting well-wishers after surgery. The sheriff’s office and allied agencies said Ace would go home with his handler after release. Coverage states that Ace will retire from duty due to the amputation and will remain in his handler’s care. These updates focus on recovery and the next chapter for a dog that served during a life-or-death moment.

Who Pays For Care And What Comes Next

Local reporting says community donors are stepping up. The Wills or Wiltse Family Trust and Polk County Sheriff’s Charities are covering Ace’s medical costs and helping fund a replacement K-9. That support eases the burden on taxpayers while keeping the unit strong. The charities’ role shows how neighbors, businesses, and law enforcement back the blue with action, not just words, when a working dog is hurt on the job.

K-9 Ace of the Polk County Sheriff's Office is currently recovering in critical but stable condition after being shot while protecting three deputies during a shootout on Thursday evening, August 6, 2026.

Due to the severity of his injuries, the 7-year-old German Shepherd is… pic.twitter.com/mUPE0Xt9aZ

— Military Support (@MilitaryCooI) August 7, 2026

Officials said Ace’s handler will keep him in retirement, which keeps a trusted bond intact. A replacement dog ensures deputies still have a four-legged partner when they face armed suspects in tough terrain. The sheriff’s office has not released the full incident packet yet, and some reports show the suspect’s last name spelled two ways. Those gaps do not change the documented facts that Ace was shot, lost his leg, and survived surgery to come home.

Why This Matters To Law And Order

Deputies hunted a fugitive tied to a child sex-crimes case, according to local reporting, and faced gunfire in the woods. K-9 teams exist for these exact threats. They find armed suspects, shield deputies, and shorten deadly encounters. The result here is blunt: one suspect dead after opening fire, no deputies hit, and one K-9 grievously wounded but alive. That is what accountability looks like when violent offenders decide to shoot at law enforcement.