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Tombstone Deputy Cleared of Charges in K-9 Shooting

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Statement from Tombstone Marshal Jim Adams:


On November 19, 2024, at approximately 0506 hours, Tombstone Marshal’s Office Deputy John Coby was the victim of an unprovoked attack by his certified drug detection K9, a Belgium Malinois named Hawk. The attack occurred upstairs in the Marshal’s Office. The dog had not been placed on a leash yet and no corrections were being given that might have prompted the attack. After a prolonged struggle with Hawk that failed to compel a release of the bite, Deputy Coby found no choice but to shoot the dog, killing it in the process. The dog was still clamped to his leg when help arrived several minutes later and had to be forced off.

Deputy Coby has been employed with the Marshal’s office since 2023 but had a break in service due to a military deployment to Jordan. Prior to that, he had 12 years as a Maryland State Trooper before returning to the U.S. Army and was then hired by the Marshal’s Office. He and Hawk had just certified on drug detection the evening before and had been together as a team for about two weeks. By all reports, they had developed a strong bond for each other.

To deconflict from handling our own Officer Involved Shooting, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate the incident. Upon completion, the report was reviewed by the Sierra Vista Police Department and was then sent to the Cochise County Attorney’s Office for a final opinion.

The investigation revealed that Hawk had previously been assigned to the US Border Patrol as a drug detection K9 and had committed several prior unprovoked attacks on handlers with at least one requiring hospitalization and surgery (June 4, 2024). Hawk was then released to a third-party vendor, who was reportedly told about the dog’s history. That vendor then transferred Hawk to KnightWatch K9 and reportedly failed to disclose those facts, hence, our office was equally not aware of them when the dog came to us.

A Necropsy was conducted, and a toxicology test was completed. Neither of these revealed anything that might have preempted the attack. A veterinarian who treated and tested Hawk following the attack on the BP handler concluded “an assumed acquired behavior disorder diagnosis” might be warranted, if the pain medications Hawk was given for a possible injury they thought he might have at the time failed to mitigate the issue.

The Detective from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office issued the following Conclusion of Facts:

- “There is nothing in this investigation that indicates to me John was abusive toward Hawk or premeditated his death.”

- “There is nothing that indicates John intentionally provoked Hawk to attack him.”

- “John Coby II was justified in using deadly physical force against Hawk as it was immediately necessary to protect himself against Hawk’s attack.”

The County Attorney’s Office concurred with the findings, citing that “The shooting of K9 Officer Hawk by Deputy Marshal Coby appears to be entirely justified” and that “Felony prosecution is declined.”

Deputy Coby has returned to light duty and is still participating in physical therapy. We hope for and expect a full recovery soon.

We are grateful for the professional diligence of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office in conducting a comprehensive and objective investigation, and to the Sierra Vista Police Department and Cochise County Attorney’s Office for their review of the facts.

The Tombstone Marshal’s Office loves and appreciates our K9 partners, not only because of the incredible work they do to keep illicit drugs off our streets, but because they are valued members of our Law Enforcement family. Hawk’s ashes have been returned to the Marshal’s Office for internment here.

Jim Adams, Tombstone Marshal

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