A Crossville Police K9 was killed after being stabbed multiple times while pursuing a suspect who allegedly led officials on a chase in a stolen semi.
The chase began shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday on north Highway 68 near Grassy Cove after dispatch operators received a call that a semi had sideswiped a vehicle.
Cumberland County deputies tried to pull the truck over at Highway 68 and Highway 127, but the driver allegedly swerved into the path of the patrol vehicle.
The deputy tried to pull over the truck, but the driver wouldn’t stop. After a pursuit, the suspect crashed into a tree and tried to flee on foot.
From there, K9 Officer Cain pursued 28-year-old Dustin Lee Dixon on foot. At some point, the K9 was stabbed multiple times and taken to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital in Knoxville.
Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed Cain had passed away.
Officials said the semi had been stolen earlier in the night from a business in Crossville.
Dixon was being held at the Cumberland County Justice Center where he will be facing multiple criminal charges.
Officials with the Crossville Police Department released the following after Cain's death:
"It is with saddened hearts that the City of Crossville Police Department announces the final End of Watch Call for a true hero and a three year law enforcement veteran. K9 Cain, your watch is over.
Good Boy!"
