HERKIMER -- A tactical K-9 dog named Ape, who started his career with the FBI just a few weeks ago, was killed in the line of duty during a standoff in Herkimer on Thursday.
Ape was on duty accompanying FBI agents who were attempting to arrest 64-year-old Kurt R. Myers, of Mohawk, who had been holed up in an abandoned building on North Main Street in Herkimer after a rampage that left four dead and two injured.
Special Agent Ann Todd, with the FBI Office of Public Affairs, says Ape will be returned home to Quantico, Virginia.
Ape was a 2-year-old Czech German Shepherd. He was born on November 17, 2010.
Ape had just started working with the FBI on February 25 after completing training in October.
A memorial will be held for Ape at Quantico, says Todd, and his name will be added to a memorial wall.
“Ape was doing what he was trained to do and made the ultimate sacrifice for his team. His actions were heroic and prevented his teammates from being seriously wounded or killed,” says Todd.
Officials speaking at a news conference on Thursday say police entered the building around 8:00 a.m. They say Myers immediately opened fire on the officers from the doorway of a small room, killing an FBI K-9 search dog. Police returned fire, fatally shooting Myers.
State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico said during a press conference on Thursday morning that K-9s are "much more acute than people in locating suspects, especially in certain types of premises. I think that's what happened here, and as unfortunate as it is that the K-9 lost his life, it could have easily been an officer."
