A police dog that ran off after being shot during an ambush on police in rural Arkansas has been found alive.
The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the dog, Kina, was located by a passerby in a house under construction. The dog was hit twice by gunfire after an armed suspect shot at police who were responding to a domestic disturbance call.
“Thank you for everyones’ (sic) prayers and kind words. We are extremely happy to have Kina back. A special thank you goes out to the two employees of Arkansas Valley who assisted with recovering Kina,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
During the incident, one officer, Bill Cooper, was shot and killed. Hackett Police Chief Darrell Spells was injured, police said.
Cooper, a 15-year veteran and former Marine, had been close to retirement.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Corporal William Cooper. Corporal Cooper was shot today in the line of duty responding to a domestic disturbance call. Corporal Cooper has been employed with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office since 2001 and served five years with the Fort Smith Police Department,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck said that a 911 call was made by the father of the alleged gunman, 35-year-old Billy Monroe Jones, who reportedly pulled a gun on his father. Police were sent to Sebastian County and found Jones holding a gun and wearing body armor. Jones then fired multiple rounds, ABC News reported.
Jones surrendered to police about five hours later and was taken into custody by Arkansas State Police. A total of 200 law enforcement officers responded, Hollenbeck said.
