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(WJBK) - There was a final farewell to St. Clair Shores K-9 officer Axe on Wednesday at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.
Axe was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 4 outside the Lakeland Manor Banquet Hall on Harper Avenue. He was running after an armed suspect, Theo Gray, when police say he shot the dog and police returning fire. Both the man and Axe died from their injuries.
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"Even though our officers responded professionally, properly, admirably, never the less, we lost a friend, we lost a companion, we lost a brother. We lost a valued member of our police department," said St. Clair Shores Police Chief Todd Woodcox.
The K-9 joined the department in 2016, full of energy and always eager to work. St . Clair Shores Mayor Kip Walby called Axe an ambassador to the city at his memorial service, and his words to Axe's handler Officer Tim Price:
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"We are truly sorry for your loss. There will be a void that won't soon be filled. Cherish the drug seizures that occurred, cherish the apprehension of criminals for it was a job well done," he said.
They say Aze did was he was trained to do.
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"Absolutely zero doubt that Axe saved officers lives that night," Woodcox said.