The Brief
Heroic Polk County K9 Ace returned home to retire after emergency air transport helped save his life following a shooting.
Flight medical specialists flew the injured canine to a specialty veterinary hospital in 25 minutes, cutting standard driving time in half.
The historic air medical transport team uses high-tech canine simulators to train emergency crews for critical line-of-duty injuries statewide.
TAMPA, Fla. – K9 Ace is retiring at home after emergency air responders flew him to Manatee County veterinary hospital after he was shot by a suspect during a shootout in Polk County.
Polk County K9 emergency transport
What we know
K9 Ace is resting at home in retirement after surviving a gunshot wound received while serving a search warrant Friday in Polk County. The brave canine saved three deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, including his handler, before undergoing surgery to amputate his left front leg.
RELATED: Canine blood donors save Polk County K9 Ace after being shot
His actions earned him multiple medals of honor and valor. Aeromed 4 flew the wounded dog from Polk County to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County in just 25 minutes, cutting more than an hour off ground travel time.
Metro Aviation line pilot Chad Loftin flew the mission for Tampa General Hospital.
“It was much like any other call. We were all aware it was Ace. It was unique in terms of the patient we were going to pick up and where we were taking him, but in all other ways, it was the same,” Loftin said.
MORE: Polk County K9 Ace’s surgery paid for by Tampa couple’s non-profit
Florida air medical training history
The backstory
Flight nurse Donny Richardson developed Florida’s first canine air transport program in 2022, and Tampa General Aeromed officially launched the service in 2023 with K9 Ace as its first patient. Flight crews train annually on a high-fidelity simulator named ‘K9 Hero’ to practice starting IVs, placing needles and performing “stop the bleed” procedures.
“These guys are law enforcement officers. They are willing to put their lives at risk to protect their human officers. So why not give them the same kind of care?” Richardson said.
Loftin reflected on the critical care system that made the rescue possible.
PREVIOUS: K9 Ace shot in Kathleen: Police dog survives emergency amputation
“I wish that we hadn’t met Ace in that way, but just the fact that they were able to have this system put in place to help him out is fantastic,” Loftin said.
National interest in canine care
Big picture view
The Aeromed flight team provides emergency coverage across 23 Florida counties. Emergency medical service agencies and law enforcement departments nationwide have reached out to Richardson to replicate the specialized air transport program in their own communities.
The Source
The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Carla Bayron, who met with a flight crew member and reported from the scene, as well as statements from flight crew members and Tampa General Aeromed flight records.