Purple Hearts To Be Awarded To K-9s Ax & Endo On Wednesday

Date Added: November 15, 2021 11:40 am

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

PURPLE HEARTS TO BE AWARDED TO K-9s AX & ENDO ON WEDNESDAY
News media invited to ceremony as well as K-9 training sponsored by Irondog K9 International

K-9s Ax and Endo, each injured by gunshots during the search for an armed carjacking suspect in Deltona in September, will receive their Purple Hearts from Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Wednesday morning (Nov. 17), and the news media is invited.

In addition to the Purple Heart ceremony, members of the news media are also invited to witness this week’s K-9 training course sponsored by Irondog K9 International, which paid for Ax’s and Endo’s medical care and is also presenting them with a special award Wednesday.

The Purple Hearts will be awarded around 11 a.m. at the Deputy Stephen Saboda Training Center, 3901 Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach.

Meanwhile, Irondog K9 International will be providing training for all Sheriff’s Office K-9 teams on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This training will be open to the news media Wednesday and Thursday, when most of the action (obstacles, interactions with mannequins, skills stations, etc.) will take place.

Combined, Irondog K9 International has contributed more than $25,000 to Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9s and handlers since the September incident in Deltona, including about $4,000 in medical bills, $4,200 in first aid kits and more than $18,000 for this week’s training. Irondog K9 International is a 501c3 organization who supports K9 teams across the country by providing equipment like first aid and trauma kits, sponsoring training events like this week’s exercise, and paying for on-duty injury vet bills. Donors can support their efforts at: https://irondogk9intl.org/

If you’re planning on attending, RSVPs are appreciated. Please also let us know if you’re interested in attending K-9 training Wednesday and/or Thursday so we can make sure we get you set up for some video opportunities.