Module 2 - Law Enforcement Equipment and Police Canines

- Image Source: Edmonton Police Service

In June 1998, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) was informed that a suicidal man wearing no shirt, black sweat pants, and runners was discharging a shotgun in his backyard. Police determined the man was 20-year-old Chad Yurko. When patrol officers arrived, they confronted Yurko as he was walking on a pathway behind his home. Yurko pointed his shotgun at police, saying he wanted to commit suicide. Officers demanded that he put the gun down, but Yurko continually refused.

Police retreated and called in the EPS Tactical Unit. Patrol officers watched as Yurko began moving toward a large playing field shared by three schools. As Yurko made his way to the field, he began waving his gun and firing rounds aimlessly into the air. When Yurko got to the field, he pointed the gun briefly at several teens and then fired into the air again. Yurko made his way towards Bishop Savaryn elementary school. As he did so, he yelled that he wanted to kill himself and put the gun in his mouth briefly. Fortunately, the playing field was empty because the school’s outdoor fun day ended earlier than scheduled. Police notified the school of the situation, telling administration to keep all the children and staff inside.

Patrol officers followed Yurko as closely as they could. This was difficult because the empty field provided officers no cover. Officers had only handguns and one shotgun. They had no long-range weapons with which they could stop Yurko from getting closer to the school. Because Yurko was getting dangerously close to the school, police decided to release a police service dog to subdue the deranged man.

Constable Randy Goss and his canine partner Caesar, a 6 year-old Rottweiller, had arrived at the scene earlier. As Yurko walked towards the school, Constable Goss and Caesar got closer to Yurko while his back was turned. Constable Goss released Caesar. He ran full speed towards the gunman. A split second before Caesar would have jumped on Yurko’s back, the gunman turned and shot Caesar point blank in the face. Caesar fell to the ground. Three officers moved toward Yurko and began shooting to prevent the man from shooting Constable Goss who was nearby. Yurko was soon subdued after being wounded by shotgun pellets to the head and upper leg. He was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery. Caesar was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic. However, his injuries were fatal. Chad Yurko survived his gunshot injuries. He was charged and later sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.

The incident took 15 minutes. The EPS tactical squad arrived after the suspect had been apprehended. If the EPS tactical squad had arrived earlier, the scenario would have likely played out much differently because they are equipped with high-powered rifles. The tactical squad searched Yurko’s house and found a rifle.

Constable Randy Goss was emotionally shaken by the incident because he had raised Caesar since he was 10 weeks old. They had spent every day together. Off duty, Caesar was a friendly family pet who loved to lick the faces of Randy and his family. At work, Caesar was all business. As a result, he was a formidable and successful police service dog. Caesar is viewed as a hero because he gave up his life to protect others.