08/08/2026
We tip our hats to this Hero🐾
We are praying for you Ace! Our thoughts and prayers also go out to your handler and agency. The community is safer because of your service! Get well soon, Little Partner🤠
There are so many people and organizations that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like to acknowledge and thank for their part in getting our K9 Ace the help he needed after he was shot by a suspect on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Immediately after he was wounded, Ace was taken to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Lakeland where his bleeding was stopped and he was stabilized by Dr. Oscar Aguayo and his team.
Once stabilized, Ace was picked up by Tampa General Hospital’s Aeromed helicopter with pilot Chad Loftin (Metro Aviation), Chief Flight Nurse Tracy Sanderson (TGH), and Flight Paramedic Kenny Switzer (TGH).
Aeromed transported Ace to Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton to be cared for by Dr. Devon Diaz and his team.
Ace is a 7-year-old German Shepherd. He has been with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office since March of 2020.
He was shot in the front left leg. The bullet broke his leg and tore an artery which caused him to lose a lot of blood.
The PCSO is truly grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from our community. We appreciate the support for our deputies involved last night, and of course for Ace and his well-being.
Many have reached out to the PCSO asking if there was anything they could do.
Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. has an established K9 Fund that will be used to support K9 Ace’s care. For those who have asked how they can help, donations may be made directly to the K9 Fund through the link below. Once on the donation page, simply select “K9” from the dropdown menu.
https://www.polksheriff.org/donate
The Wiltse Family Trust has already informed us that they intend to cover the cost for Ace’s care at Veterinary Medical Center the Lakewood Ranch AND the Trust has already committed to purchasing a new K9 to replace Ace now that he will have to retire.
Again, we sincerely appreciate the continued support, kindness, and generosity shown to our K9 Unit during this difficult time.
Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic
TGH Aeromed
Veterinary Medical Center at LWR
