By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A memorial service is scheduled for this afternoon to commemorate the death of K-9 Max, the St. Joseph police dog killed in the line of duty June 30th.
Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says the death of K-9 Max has had a profound impact on his handler, Officer Lucas Winder, and the entire St. Joseph Police Department.
“He was taken into custody and, of course, Max lost his life while serving the citizens of this community and protecting the guys,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
Puett says the death has shaken the entire law enforcement community.
“I do want to stress that, obviously, it’s very emotional and difficult for everybody; just a huge, huge loss.”
The memorial service begins at three o’clock this afternoon at Civic Center Park.
A charge of armed criminal action has been filed against 24-year-old Valdez McDonald in the death of Max.
McDonald already faces a third-degree assault charge. Authorities accuse him of beating his mother; smashing her head against a wall and hitting her in the back of the head with a 2x4.
Buchanan County Prosecutor Ron Holliday says the maximum sentence for the combined charges would be 19 years in prison.
The St. Joseph Police Department reports the Special Response Team along with several other officers, including K-9 Max, arrived at 5108 Barbra Street late in the evening on June 30th, a residence in which an armed subject had barricaded himself.
During negotiations, authorities say McDonald fled out of the back of the residence, armed. He shot K-9 Max during the pursuit. Max was transported to Kansas City for emergency care, but died of his wounds.