Officers sprang into action after a K-9 officer became involved in a shootout.

A U.S. Marshall K-9 located a suspect who was wanted for killing a law enforcement officer. The suspect shot the pup named Rocky, and not only did his fellow officers defend his honor, but they made sure he would be okay.

Wow, what incredible teamwork to get that brave pup out of harm's way.

According to Houston Public Media

Wednesday morning, local and state police launched a miles-long manhunt in southwest Houston for a man accused of shooting and killing Jesus Vargas, a 17-year veteran of the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office and member of the U.S. Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.

Earlier that day, Vargas and another officer approached 56-year-old Robert Davis III, also known as Sean Christopher Davis, while serving an arrest warrant in a strip mall parking lot in the 9300 block of Stella Link Road. Vargas was shot and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The search came to a screeching halt when U.S. Marshal’s Office K9 Rocky alerted officers to a dumpster near the scene of the shooting. Officials confirmed in a press conference late Wednesday that the K9 was shot by Davis after jumping into the dumpster. Officers returned fire, striking and killing the man.

Rocky was shot two times before he was rushed to a helicopter and transported to the animal hospital, where he is now in stable condition and expected to recover.

“The amazing aspect here people need to understand, the K9 saved lives,” T. Michael O’Connor, U.S. Marshal of the Southern District of Texas, said during a press conference in the lot late Wednesday. “They are part of our existence as a police department, as law enforcement in general, whether it be bombs, drugs, saving lives,” Houston Police Department Chief Noe Diaz said. “Those dogs are amazing. They are a part of us.”

Although Rocky’s law enforcement career may have ended early, he will always be a hero to the department.

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