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Died – 3/26/17
Handler – Trooper Christopher Havens
Alaska State Police Dog Fatally Shot
Alaska State Troopers have released the names of the officers and the K9 involved in the March 26 fatal shooting of a 36-year-old Wasilla man near mile 45.5 of the Parks Highway. According to an online dispatch posted Wednesday, the troopers were identified as Christopher Havens, a five-year AST veteran currently serving in B Detachment, Mat-Su West Patrol, and Jason Somerville, who has 1 1/2 years of service currently working with B Detachment’s Palmer Patrol. The online dispatch said K9 “Rico,” a three-year-old Dutch Shepherd, was the dog killed by Justin Quincy Smith, who was later fatally shot. According to reports, Smith led troopers on an approximate 45-minute pursuit in the Wasilla area starting around 3 a.m. before his vehicle was finally stopped with spike strips. Police state Smith then exited his vehicle and ignored troopers’ commands. At that point, Havens, “Rico’s” handler since last October, deployed the K9. Troopers say Smith then turned and fired a handgun striking the dog. Havens and Somerville returned fire, hitting Smith. He was transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries. Neither trooper was injured in the altercation.
