Heartbreaking video shows deputies honor K9 Dundee who died in the line of duty
By Madilyn Destefano
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LEE COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — K9 Dundee with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Florida’s west coast died Monday while assisting deputies with the apprehension of a suspect.
Multiple agencies across Florida, including the Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Myers Police Department and Cape Coral Police Department, came together Tuesday morning to honor the 4-year-old K9.
Dundee died while responding to a scene in the Island Vista Estates neighborhood on Eland Drive in North Fort Myers, LCSO said.
Deputies were patrolling the area shortly after midnight due to recent burglaries and reports of suspicious individuals, according to the LCSO arrest report.
While patrolling, deputies located a gray Nissan Altima parked facing the wrong way in the roadway. Deputies approached the car and immediately smelled burnt marijuana, the report said.
The car was occupied by five people, one of whom ran from the scene after deputies approached.
Dundee was called in to apprehend the individual who ran, and he successfully tracked them to a nearby wooded area, where he was successful in apprehending them.
K9 Dundee then went unresponsive and, after a profound effort from deputies and medical staff, was pronounced dead.
Inside the car, deputies identified four additional individuals, one of whom has not been publicly named due to their age.
The other three people were identified as Brooklyn Simison, 19, Zahquavion Jackson, 19, and Aaron Silva-Fernandez, 18.
Deputies searched their vehicle and located a BB gun and a black ski mask, as well as marijuana in the front and rear passenger seats, the report said.
Simison was arrested and faces a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Silva-Fernandez was arrested and faces charges of possession of marijuana, child in violation of imposed conditions and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Jackson was arrested and faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of marijuana.
LCSO held a procession, followed by a news conference outside the BluePearl Pet Hospital.
Dundee joined LCSO in February 2024.
He was certified in both patrol and narcotics detection and, during his career, completed 174 deployments and was directly responsible for 28 apprehensions, LCSO said.
“Dundee was more than a K9. He was a member of our LCSO family. He ran toward danger without hesitation, trusting his handler and his brothers and sisters in this agency to be there beside him,” the agency added.
Deputy Chala was Dundee’s handler and partner, but he was also his family.
LCSO has extended its condolences to Chala, his family and any K9 handler who worked with, trained and stood beside Dundee.
“The bond between a handler and his K9 is one that few can truly understand, and the loss being felt today is immeasurable,” LCSO said.
LCSO will honor Dundee’s service, remember his sacrifice, and never forget the courage he showed in protecting others, it said in a social media post.
>> WESH 2’s sister station, Gulf Coast News, contributed to this reporting.
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