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Statement From Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps

Officer’s Shooting of Wake County Sheriff’s Office K9

On May 26th, our agency reported that one of its officers had unintentionally shot a Wake County Sheriff’s Office canine. Our investigation into this matter has been extensive and involved consultation with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, and independent subject matter experts. Following this comprehensive review, we have determined that this incident was an unfortunate accident. All stakeholders involved in the evaluation of this incident, including the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, agree with these findings.

The Town of Knightdale and the Knightdale Police Department are taking measures to mitigate future risks. As this is a closed personnel matter, no further information regarding the incident will be released.

Sheriff Willie Rowe and his staff have expressed their full trust and support for our approach to addressing this matter. We are thankful for their continued partnership and their graciousness throughout this investigation.

As our agency moves forward, we hope to maintain the public’s trust through our continued commitment to professional policing. Incidents like these do not define us, but they do serve as an important reminder of our duty to constantly invest in the training, growth, and development of our officers. I am confident that an ongoing focus on such investments will help us remain the kind of police force our community expects and deserves. More importantly, it is my hope that the professional development of our officers will make us an organization you can be proud of as well.