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K-9 Officer Killed During Shootout

Authorities Say K-9 Shot During Exchange Of Gunfire Following Chase

POSTED: Thursday, July 17, 2008
UPDATED: 4:28 am EDT July 18, 2008

A Broward Sheriff's Office K-9 was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire with a man in Miami Beach on Thursday morning.

Oozi, a 7½-year-old Belgian Malinois, died at the scene.

Related Content: BSO Mourns the Death of K9 Oozi
BSO K-9 Unit | The K-9 Pledge

United States Police Canine Association

According to the BSO, the incident started as a domestic dispute at 309 NE 35th Court in Oakland Park.

BSO investigators said Annie Taylor, 38, returned home to find her ex-boyfriend, 27-year-old Delvin Lewis , waiting for her. As Taylor tried to enter her home, Lewis forced his way inside and attacked Taylor, slamming her against a wall.

Taylor said she saw a pistol in Lewis' waistband and retrieved her own gun, firing two shots at Lewis. As Lewis fled in the car Taylor had loaned him, Taylor fired more shots at him and dialed 911.

BSO deputies spotted Lewis driving south on Interstate 95 near Commercial Boulevard and attempted to stop him, but investigators said he refused to do so. That led to dozens of cruisers pursuing Lewis as he drove to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

Investigators said there was an exchange of gunfire involving BSO deputies and Miami-Dade police. During the gunfire, the K-9 officer was shot.

Despite an attempt by emergency room personnel to save Oozi's life, the K-9 died at the scene.

Lewis was also wounded in the gunfire and taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he was being treated for three gunshot wounds. He was expected to survive.

According to the BSO, Lewis has been arrested in Broward County nine times during the past decade. The arrests include charges of battery on a pregnant woman, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, possession of cocaine, burglary, resisting arrest with violence and battery on a K-9.

Oozi, who was trained in narcotics, was assigned to the Cooper City district. Oozi and his handler , Deputy Jerry Wengert, were named employees of the month in May for their apprehension of three burglary suspects who tried to run them over.

According to BSO, Oozi was mainly a patrol dog that helped with hundreds of criminal apprehensions throughout his career and more than 35 in 2008.

The BSO and Miami-Dade police are conducting a joint investigation.

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