Police K-9 Fatally Shot In Line Of Duty In Polk County

LAKE WALES, FL — The Lake Wales Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own.

On Wednesday, K-9 Max was shot and killed Wednesday morning by a man with a known criminal history, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

"We are filled with sadness, and our hearts are broken," the Lake Wales Police Department posted to Facebook. "Thank you everyone for the outpouring of love for Officer Joyner and his family and our Department."

Pictured below: K-9 Max

According to WFLA-TV, K-9 Officer Jared Joyner and his partner, Max, were searching a wooded area for 57-year-old Earnest Borders who had just physically attacked a woman.

The pair ultimately found Borders hiding; however, when he refused to show his hands, he fatally shot K-9 Max. Officers said they returned fire to protect themselves. Borders was ultimately pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, the TV station reported.

Pictured Below: K-9 Officer Jared Joyner and his partner, Max

"To Officer Joyner, Chief Chris Velasquez, the men and women of the Lake Wales Police Department, and the residents of Lake Wales…the Polk County Sheriff’s Office shares your grief," Sheriff Judd said.

"K-9 Max died doing what he was trained to do; he led the charge to apprehend a dangerous suspect who was an active threat to the community…and in doing so, he saved the lives of his partner and others," he continued.

In a social media post, Joyner described his K-9 partner as "fearless." The pair had worked together since 2015.