Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) on Tuesday gathered deputies, firefighters, and community members to honor K9 Dundee, a four‑year‑old police dog who lost his life while assisting in a suspect chase in the Island Vista Estates neighborhood of North Fort Myers.
What happened
Shortly after midnight on Monday, deputies were patrolling Eland Drive in response to a string of burglaries and reports of suspicious activity. They stopped a gray Nissan Altima that was parked facing the wrong direction and immediately detected the odor of burnt marijuana. The vehicle contained five occupants; one fled the scene when deputies approached.
Dundee was called in to track the fleeing individual. The K9 followed the suspect into a nearby wooded area and successfully apprehended him. Moments after the arrest, Dundee went unresponsive. Despite vigorous efforts by deputies and medical personnel, the dog was pronounced dead at the scene.
Arrests and charges
Inside the vehicle, deputies identified four additional occupants. One minor was not named due to age. The three adults – Brooklyn Simison (19), Zahquavion Jackson (19) and Aaron Silva‑Fernandez (18) – were taken into custody. A search of the car uncovered a BB gun, a black ski mask, and additional marijuana in both front and rear passenger seats.
Simison faces a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Silva‑Fernandez is charged with possession of marijuana, a child in violation of imposed conditions, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Jackson also faces contributing‑to‑delinquency and marijuana possession charges.
Honoring Dundee’s service
LCSO held a procession that concluded with a news conference outside BluePearl Pet Hospital. The department highlighted Dundee’s record: he joined the force in February 2024, was certified in both patrol and narcotics detection, completed 174 deployments, and directly contributed to 28 apprehensions.
“Dundee was more than a K9 – he was a member of our LCSO family. He ran toward danger without hesitation, trusting his handler and his brothers and sisters in this agency to be there beside him,” the agency said.
Deputy Chala, Dundee’s handler, was described as both a partner and a family member. LCSO extended condolences to Chala, his family, and all K9 handlers who have worked alongside Dundee.
Community response
The ceremony underscored the deep bond between law‑enforcement officers and their canine partners, a relationship many in the community recognize as vital to public safety. Residents and fellow deputies expressed gratitude for Dundee’s dedication and sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who protect the neighborhood.
WESH 2’s sister station Gulf Coast News contributed to the reporting of this story.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
