Some heroes have four paws. 💔
The look in his eyes tells me so much… attention, loyalty, love, dedication.
A Portland police K-9 on his last shift and a [wa.nted] man were [k.i.lle.d] as multiple law [enforcement] agencies tried to take the man, described by authorities as “a [v.io.le.nt of.fen.der],” into custody Thursday afternoon in Southeast Portland, officials said.
The [in.cid.ent] took place at the Chestnut Tree Inn in the 9600 block of Southeast Stark Street and involved the U.S. Marshals Service [Vi.ole.nt] Offender Task Force and multiple other police agencies, officials said. Portland police’s [ho.mi.ci.de] unit is investigating, Portland police spokesperson Mike Benner said. There is no [ri.sk] to the public.
Police did not identify the suspect who was [k.i.ll.ed] or specify what [cr.ime or cr.imes] he was [wanted] for.
In a news release from Portland police Thursday evening, officials said preliminary information indicated the shooting involved two Portland police officers and two officers from other agencies. The PPB officers are on paid administrative leave per policy.
Also killed was a police dog, Kylo, who officials said was serving his last shift before retirement. Officials said the dog was taken to two separate animal hospitals in an effort to save his life.
“Kylo is a beloved member of the Portland police,” Benner said. “It’s not a stretch to say that our K-9s are like officers. It’s emotional over here. People lost a partner. We haven’t [lo.st] a K-9 since 2014.”
According to a 2020 Instagram post from Portland police, Kylo, a German shepherd, joined the force in 2020, at age 2-and-a-half. He was born and trained in Germany before being imported to California and acquired by Portland police.
The post said: Kylo is happy, quirky, goofy, and loves to match his howl to the pitch of the siren when responding to calls, His favorite things to do outside of work are explore the forest and play with his little brother Apollo, a mini dachshund.
Police planned a procession Thursday evening to take Kylo’s remains from the Blue Pearl Pet Hospital in Northeast Portland to the Oregon Humane Society, officials said.
For six years — from June 2020 to June 2026 — Multnomah County rented out the entire 56-room Chestnut Tree Inn to house people trying to stave off homelessness. The county stopped footing the bill and the shelter shut down because of budget cuts.
The site has been plagued by [cr.imi.nal] activity before, during and after that time. That includes a man who was fatally [s.h.o.t] in 2022 near the Ramada Inn and staggered across the street to the Chestnut Tree Inn, [dy.ing] next to it, and another man who was [gu.nn.ed do.wn] in the street next to the Chestnut Tree Inn in 2025.
In the most recent [in.cid.ent], the initial 911 call was logged at 2:02 p.m.
Ryan Kowal, who was out walking his dog, said at about 2 p.m. he heard a [sh.o.tg.un] followed by about 20 rounds [fi.red] by police. The [in.cide.nt] came from the parking lot of the Chestnut Tree Inn, he said.
The aftermath was “cha.os,” he said.
“The police officers started swarming, ambulance started showing up, you couldn’t even hear yourself think,” he said.
Kowal said he saw the person involved taken away in the back of an ambulance.
Twice before, in 1987 and 2014, Portland police dogs have [di.ed] in the line of duty.
Argos was the first to [d.i.e] by [ri.fle] fire when police say he tried to apprehend a [ba.rrica.ded] suspect who opened [fi.re] on officers, fatally [st.rik.ing] Argos. Police honored him throughout the years, even posting an Instagram tribute in 2024 on the 37th anniversary of his [de.ath].
In 2014, K-9 Mick [di.ed] and his partner, Officer Jeff Dorn, was [s.h.o.t] in both legs during a [sh.oo.to.ut] with a [bu.rgl.ary su.spe.ct].
In 2017, an artist erected a memorial K-9 statue in front of the Portland Police Bureau’s K-9 unit headquarters at 47th Avenue and East Burnside Street.
In 2024, on the 10th anniversary of Mick’s death, the Portland Police Bureau’s honor guard observed his death by placing a flower wreath in front of the statue. Bagpipes played and Police Chief Bob Day called for a moment of silence.
“In the wake of this incident, Officer Jeff Dorn said, ‘Mick saved my life,’” Day said. “This reminds us all of the crucial and irreplaceable role of the police K-9.”
Police said at the time that the bureau was flooded with “thousands of cards, flowers, donations, and messages of condolence.”
Hondo Dog Park in Hillsboro is named after a K9 who [lo.st] his life in the line of duty.
A de.va.sta.ting lo.ss.
Sending so much love to his handler and all who worked with him.
May he rest in peace in doggy heaven ❤️🩹
Rest your paws in peace Kylo, you were a hero. 🐾 🚓
