Rest in Peace K9 Forrest
Sheriff’s K9 Forest, killed by deputy gunfire while trying to apprehend a fleeing suspect, will be honored at 1 p.m. Friday in a memorial that will include a 13-mile procession and service at the Volusia County Fairgrounds.
State investigators reported to Volusia County sheriff’s investigators Thursday that Forest was accidentally shot to death by Volusia County deputies while engaging an armed fugitive in Deltona.
The preliminary investigation has confirmed that Eddie Powell, a fugitive known to live in Deltona, who was wanted out of Georgia, was armed with a gun both during the initial shooting on Nov. 22 as well as the subsequent shooting the following day that ended with Powell’s capture, said Gary Davidson, sheriff’s spokesman. But there was no evidence Powell fired his weapon.
“During the initial shooting on Nov. 22, two deputies fired their weapons as Powell punched and fought with K9 Forest while pointing a gun at one of the deputies,” Davidson said. “It has been determined that Forest was tragically killed by friendly fire, sustaining two gunshot wounds during the incident. It is unknown at this time which deputy fired the rounds that struck the K9.”
Forest will have a memorial service Friday and the community participated in the event by lining up along the more than 13-mile route.