Hero Austell K9 to have his leg removed after taking bullet for officer

AUSTELL, Ga. — The Austell Police Department has provided a sad update on K9 Jerry Lee, who was wounded in the life of fire last month.

Spokespeople with the police department say Jerry Lee went to the doctor this week. Doctors determined his leg would have to be removed to improve the K9 officer’s quality of life. He will undergo surgery Friday.

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The original plan was to have Jerry Lee in a splint in the hopes his bones would fuse together.

Jerry Lee was shot during a chase after police said a man ran from a safety checkpoint.

K9 Lee helped track down the suspect, who exchanged gunfire with an officer. One of the bullets hit Lee in his front leg. The bullet entered and exited through his left elbow, shattering the bone.

The man was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

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Police have determined that Jerry Lee’s days as an officer have come to an end, but he will live out his retirement with his fellow Officer E. Reeves, who he served alongside.

‘He took a round for me’ Austell officer shares how he pulled K9 partner to safety after dog was shot