K-9 who lost eye in DeKalb shooting that killed officer is recovering quickly
The DeKalb County police dog who took a bullet to his right eye while chasing down a suspect accused of shooting and killing an officer in December is recovering quickly and might be able to return to work in the coming weeks.
Indi is being praised as a hero by the department, the community and his handler, Officer Normal Larsen.
“He saved my life,” Larsen told Channel 2 Action News on Tuesday. “The four SWAT operators that were with us — he saved their lives.”
RELATED: A hero again: DeKalb K-9 Indi helps nab suspected cop killer
The K-9 took a bullet above his right ear Dec. 13 while chasing down Brandon Taylor, who police said shot and killed Officer Edgar Flores moments earlier during a traffic stop on Candler Road, AJC.com previously reported. Responding officers then shot and killed Taylor.
MORE: 'He made DeKalb a better place' — slain cop eulogized
Indi was rushed to Blue Pearl Emergency Pet Hospital in Sandy Springs, where his right eye was removed.
RELATED: DeKalb K-9 released from pet hospital after being shot in head, losing eye
“It was an emotional roller coaster,” Larsen told Channel 2. “It goes from thinking you lost your best friend to, ‘Well, he’s still alive,’ and it looks pretty good!”
K-9 Indi in action! Update on the hero @DeKalbCountyPD dog that’s recovering from a bullet to his head. @wsbtv 5pm @ItsInDeKalb pic.twitter.com/pozgPSUyZq
— Sophia Choi (@SophiaWSB) January 8, 2019
Larsen said Indi has been his partner for six years, and he told the news station the K-9 is his best friend. He also said Indi has never missed a suspect, even tracking one for four and a half miles.
Indi still has weeks of recovery to go before he can get the chance to rejoin DeKalb’s 11 other police dogs, but Larsen is confident Indi is up to the task.
“He wants to go to work,” Larsen said. “He doesn’t want to see Daddy get dressed and go to work, and he’s sitting back there at home. It’ll drive him nuts.”
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About the Author
Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives.
