CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — A memorial is growing outside the Chesterfield Police Building on Iron Bridge Road for K-9 Knight, a 5-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix who was shot and killed in the line of duty.
Knight, who was born in Slovakia, was shot and killed when police responded to a domestic disturbance call Sunday afternoon. His end of watch was May 31, 2026.
Knight served alongside his handler, Corporal John Walsh, for four years, assisting in tracking, apprehension, and other operations that helped officers safely carry out their mission.
Knight was named after the knights of old who lived by a code: protecting others through honor and bravery. Chesterfield Police said he embodied that spirit every day he wore the badge.
A K-9 patrol vehicle is parked in front of the Chesterfield Police Building on Iron Bridge Road, and members of the community are welcome to leave flowers in honor of Knight's memory.
Michael Miles was among those who stopped by the memorial.
Fighting back emotion, he reflected on a debt of gratitude he said he can never repay.
"I brought some flowers and I said a little prayer. That's all you can do right now except try and be there for them and this is one way that you can," Miles said.
"I have a little bit of history and that my son was killed in 2006 in Iraq and these gentleman went out of their way to make sure his last wishes were honored. There truly isn't anything that we can do for them, truly," Miles said.
Theresa Leone also stopped to pay her respects.
"That dog didn't have to die and those officers didn't have to get shot. I pray that they pull through because Knight didn't make it. He shouldn't be forgotten," Leone said.
Maddie Garber brought her children to the memorial.
"I had them color a little card and pick some flowers," Garber said.
For Denise Hodge, the memorial is a reminder of the sacrifices officers and K9s make every day.
"I know they jeopardize their lives every day for us and I really do appreciate it. You know when you see a fallen soldier, I call them soldiers because a soldier protects and that's what this doggie did. I'm wishing the police officers well," Hodge said.
Governor Abigail Spanberger shared her condolences on social media following the shooting.
"I am praying for the swift recovery of those officers and mourning the loss of their K-9 Knight."
Knight is survived by his handler, Corporal Walsh, his family, and members of the Chesterfield Police Department.
Two Chesterfield County police officers also shot on Sunday were last listed in critical but stable condition, Chesterfield’s police chief Col. Frank Carpenter Jr. shared during a Monday news briefing.
Carpenter did not release the names of the officers nor the suspect, who was also shot, citing the ongoing investigation.
Officers were called to the 2900 block of Gumfork Place at 4:40 p.m. May 31 after the suspect’s mother reported him firing a gun inside the home.
She told dispatchers she had retreated to an upstairs bedroom, and the man was attempting get inside.
Carpenter said officers made immediate entry into the home and encountered the suspect, who was armed with what Carpenter described as a long gun (rifle or assault-type weapon).
The suspect fired multiple times at officers, who returned fire.
Two officers and Knight were shot.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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