Police dog stabbed while officers excuted warrant for kidnapper

Ocean County Prosecutor, Bradley D. Billhimer, announced that, “police shot Edward M. Walsh, born October 21, 1979, of Manahawkin, during the execution of a warrant for his arrest.” Walsh was wanted for Kidnapping, a first degree offense, Aggravated Assault, a second degree offense, Aggravated Assault, a third degree offense, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, a third degree offense, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, a fourth degree offense and Theft of the victim/girlfriend’s vehicle, a third degree offense.

According to the preliminary investigation, Billhimer indicated that, “Edward Walsh had committed the above acts against his girlfriend on Sunday, November 11^th, left her at her Sayreville residence, then stole her vehicle and drove Lacey Township.” The Lacey Township Police received reliable information that Walsh was at 914 Barnegat Lane in the Borough of Mantoloking. Detectives believed that Walsh was there because he was previously married to a family member of the prior owner.

On November 12^th at 11:47am, Lacey Township Police contacted the Mantoloking Police Department to alert them of Walsh’s presence. Three Mantoloking police officers, one Ocean County Sheriff’s officer with K-9 Officer Kane and one Bay Head police officer were dispatched to 914 Barnegat Lane, Mantoloking. After approximately forty-five minutes and with the permission of the current homeowner, the police entered the residence, commanded Walsh to drop the knife and would not. K-9 Officer Kane was released. Walsh, who was within approximately twenty feet of the officers, stabbed K-9 Officer Kane with a knife and then the officers fired. Walsh also had a self-inflicted knife wound across his neck. The Ocean County Medical Examiner pronounced Walsh dead on the scene. An autopsy is pending.

“K-9 Officer Kane was transported to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls and thankfully is expected to make a full recovery and be released tomorrow,” Billhimer reported.

Consistent with the Attorney General’s Directive, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer contacted the New Jersey State Police to process the scene, as an Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer was involved. We thank the State Police for their assistance. Anyone with information are encouraged to contact Detective Brant Uricks or Lindsay Woodfield of Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crimes Unit at (732) 929-2027.

In New Jersey, all investigations into police deadly force incidents are governed by the Attorney General’s Independent Prosecutor Directive – issued in 2006 and strengthened in 2015 – which established strict procedures for conducting thorough and reliable investigations. It requires the Attorney General to review all such investigations, and in some cases conduct them as well. The directive provides that unless the undisputed facts indicate that the use of force was justified under the law, the circumstances of the incident must be presented to a grand jury, composed of 23 civilians, for its independent review.

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