Deputies said they were conducting a SWAT roll in Harvey around 8:30 a.m. during the arrest of a suspect, the K-9 suffered a medical emergency.
METAIRIE, La. — A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 named Macho died Wednesday following a SWAT operation involving a barricaded suspect in Harvey.
Sheriff Joe Lopinto said during a press conference that the incident began when U.S. Marshals attempted to serve arrest warrants on an individual wanted in Saint Charles and Saint Tammany parishes. The suspect briefly appeared at the back door of a residence but retreated and barricaded himself inside.
After hours of attempting to communicate with the suspect, the JPSO SWAT team deployed drones and robots to clear the structure before sending in officers. Macho, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois trained specifically for SWAT operations, located the suspect hiding inside a box spring. The K-9 restrained the individual until deputies apprehended him.
However, shortly after the arrest, Macho collapsed. Deputies, including his handler, administered CPR and transported him to an emergency veterinary clinic, but the K-9 was pronounced dead.
Sheriff Lopinto noted that Macho had been with the sheriff’s office for nearly seven years and was involved in over 200 deployments and 100 apprehensions. “He was a great dog for us, very well-trained and a vital member of our team,” Lopinto said.
The sheriff indicated that Macho’s death is suspected to be a medical event, though toxicology and further examinations will be conducted to rule out other possibilities. The K-9 will undergo an autopsy at LSU, and plans for a line-of-duty service to honor him are underway.
Macho was known for his work with multiple law enforcement agencies and community outreach programs, often participating in school visits due to his friendly demeanor. His loss has deeply impacted the sheriff’s office, his handler’s family, and the broader canine law enforcement community.
The suspect was taken into custody, but details about his identity and charges have not been released.
This is a developing story.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.