Courageous K-9 Killed In Line Of Duty To Be Honored In Lake Wales

LAKE WALES, FL — He was fearless from his first day on the job to the moment he took his final breath after being shot in the line of duty seven years later, Officer Jared Joyner said of his partner, K-9 Max.

That's how the courageous canine will be remembered by Joyner, Joyner's wife and kids who'd lived with Max since he was a rookie pup, and fellow members of the Lake Wales Police Department.

The police department is expecting a full house of law enforcement personnel and the community at a memorial service Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Highpoint Church, 4025 N Scenic Highway, Lake Wales.

There will be no viewing or graveside services. The body of the slain 7-year-old Belgian Malinois dog was cremated, and his ashes will remain with his adopted family.

Immediately following the memorial service, law enforcement honors will take place outside the church, including the playing of "Taps" on the bugle and "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes.

The traditional law enforcement end-of-watch radio call will be delivered by the communications department as Joyner and his family escort Max's remains from the foyer through the local Law Enforcement Officer K-9 Honor Column where fellow canine members of Max's unit will join the procession.

For those unable to attend, the service will air live on YouTube.

In response to the outpouring of support, the Lake Wales Police Department has set up a fund in K-9 Officer Max's honor for the Lake Wales Police Department K-9 Unit. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent by check payable to the City of Lake Wales with "K-9 Unit Donation" on the memo line and dropped off or mailed to the Lake Wales Police Department, 133 E Tillman Ave., Lake Wales, FL 33853.

See related story: Police K-9 Fatally Shot In Line Of Duty In Polk County

Drivers in the area should expect heavy traffic on Scenic Highway, Chalet Suzanne Road and Masterpiece Road prior to and after the service.

According to Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez, the circumstances that led up to Max's death began just after 5 a.m. Wednesday near West Seminole Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Lake Wales.

Velasquez said a woman called to report that, during a domestic dispute, 57-year-old Earnest Borders dragged her out of a car, choked her, slammed her head onto the concrete pavement and repeatedly fired a gun outside her apartment.

Responding officers found nine shell casings from a gun, but said Borders had already fled the scene.

Borders was spotted two hours later near the railroad tracks west of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. As officers made their way toward him, they said he ran into nearby woods and hid.

Joyner, 40, and Max joined the search for Borders, and Max, who is trained and certified in tracking, quickly located Borders and, as he's trained to do, grabbed the man's leg to prevent him from running, so police could cuff him. It was while Max was holding onto Borders' leg that Borders shot and killed the courageous canine.

Velasquez said Borders ignored commands to drop his weapon and show his hands. He said it's unclear if Borders fired at officers with the stolen Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun.

"We don't know that but, No. 1, when you have a subject that's armed that committed violent crimes as he already has this morning, he had a gun, he had already been reported to have fired shots and he didn't comply with the officers."

In response, Joyner and a fellow officer fired at Borders, striking him, said the chief.

Velasquez said when a person who has already shown a willingness to shoot and kill refuses to put down a gun, "he is going to get shot every time."

Borders was taken to the hospital where he died.

"When the officers told him to put it down, he is going to get shot ... every time."

Police said Borders has a lengthy criminal history, including 24 felony arrests, four misdemeanor arrests and 18 felony convictions for possession of weapons, battery, witness tampering and grand theft, to name a few. He was sentenced to state prison three times.

K-9 Max's partner, Officer Jared Joyner, led a procession in his police vehicle with Max's body inside from the Lake Wales Police Department at 133 E. Tillman Ave. to the medical examiner's office as fellow officers stood at attention as the procession rolled by.