Las Vegas K-9s Bark Goodbye to Fallen Comrade

Las Vegas Police K-9 Nicky was killed while apprehending a double-murder suspect March 31

Las Vegas police dogs barked their goodbyes Wednesday to a comrade killed while nabbing a double-murder suspect.

K-9 Nicky was honored at a private funeral service in the city April 6. Video posted on the police department's Facebook page shows other K-9s barking in chorus in a touching tribute to their slain colleague.

"Nicky was a loyal and dedicated partner who was always happiest being in the truck on patrol with his partner," Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said in a statement Wednesday.

The police dog was killed March 31 while wrestling with a man accused of killing two neighbors. Police responding to the scene late that morning found 31-year-old James Simpson with a gun in his hand. He dropped the gun but refused to heed officers' commands, so they sent Nicky after him, according to police.

The K-9 chased Simpson as he grabbed the gun and fled, firing a shot in the officers' direction. Nicky latched onto Simpson's arm and wrestled him to the ground as police closed in, authorities said.

Simpson opened fire and officers shot back. One of their rounds struck Nicky, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Simpson, who was shot several times and taken to a trauma center, was charged with two counts of murder with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon, three counts of shooting into an occupied structure and kidnapping. It's not clear if he's hired an attorney.

Police credited Nicky with helping apprehend Simpson and "de-escalate a tense and dangerous encounter."

According to police, Nicky had survived a stabbing just two months prior.

Police called his death a blow to the department and community and vowed to "explore options to improve the safety of our canine partners."

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