Police dog killed on I-15
Sophie the bloodhound “escaped” from her handler’s house.
(Centerville Police Department) Sophie the bloodhound was killed Monday morning.
A Centerville police dog was killed Monday morning after it left its handler’s home, landed on Interstate 15 and was struck by a car.
According to police, Sophie – a bloodhound trained in tracking – “escaped” from Officer Jason Shields’ home on Sunday evening and officers spent the entire night searching for her. Around 7 a.m. Monday, the dog was spotted running south in the northbound lanes of I-15 north of Parrish Lane. Before officers could reach her, Sophie was hit and killed.
According to a news release from Centerville Police, the vehicle that struck the dog has not been found, but the driver is not believed to be at fault.
Sophie had been with the Centerville Police Department since November 2019 and “was recognized as a K-9 candidate in Davis County,” police said. She proved to be “an invaluable asset to the community and was instrumental in the search for lost children.” , Alzheimer’s patients and fleeing suspects.”
Police will hold a private service following a public viewing of Sophie until 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Centerville Police Department at 250 N. Main Street. A public graveside service will take place “at a later date.”
