Austell K9 officer who had his leg removed after being shot receives award

AUSTELL, Ga. — A K9 officer who was wounded in the life of fire in April is now being awarded for his bravery.

The Georgia Police K9 Foundation surprised K9 Jerry Lee and Officer E. Reeves with the Austell Police Department at a recent event.

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“Getting injured in the line of duty was something we will always wish had never happened, but our family continues to be blown away by all the good that has come from it,” the K9′s family said in a Facebook post.

The audience at the event gave Lee and Reeves a standing ovation. The pair also received a plaque.

Lee was shot during a chase after police said a man ran from a safety checkpoint.

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Lee helped track down the suspect, who exchanged gunfire with an officer. One of the bullets hit Lee in his front leg. The bullet entered and exited through his left elbow, shattering the bone.

The man was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Lee later had to have his leg amputated, and he retired from police service.

‘He took a round for me’ Austell officer shares how he pulled K9 partner to safety after dog was shot

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