Whitley County K9 Officer Cas

Whitley County Sheriff’s Department plans to honor a K9 who died in the line of duty earlier this week in a fiery crash on US 30.

Police attempted to end a lengthy pursuit that began in Warsaw by setting up stop strips in the eastbound lanes of US 30 near CR 450W, but the driver, already suspected of a carjacking in Plymouth, steered away from the stop sticks and collided with a police car that Cas was inside of at the time.

The collision caused a fire and the dog was trapped inside and died, according to a news release from the county sheriff’s department issued Thursday.

Indiana State Police and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office are investigating.

Cas began her service as a police utility dog in April of 2017. She served both the Columbia City Police Department and the county police.

“K9 Cas’ service directly attributed to the betterment and safety of the Whitley County Community,” read a news release from Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

A memorial service honoring K9 Cas will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the First Church of God, 12200 W. DePoy Drive in Columbia City. The public is welcome to attend.

Donations are also being accepted in Cas’ name to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department K9 Fund, 101 W. Market St., Columbia City, IN, 46725.

Editor’s note: The start time of the memorial was adjusted by 30 minutes after this story was posted.

Cas, a police dog, died while inside the police car to the left, which was struck by the car to the right. The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon.