A DeKalb County police dog is adjusting to his new normal after he was shot in the head last year while hunting down a suspect accused of killing a police officer. 

K-9 Indi lost his eye, but that hasn’t slowed him from tracking down bad guys. 

Indi is one of twelve K-9s the police department has. But he’s the only one that has been shot in the head by a suspect. Even that couldn't stop the hero officer from getting back on the job.  

“We are a team,” said officer Norman Larsen. “We come as a team and we leave as a team.”

Larsen and Indi work together. For the past six months, Larsen and Indi have been back tracking drugs and suspects. Indi was shot on Dec. 13 while chasing Brandon Taylor, who ran during a traffic stop in south DeKalb County. “He lost half his visibility,” Larsen said. “Came in here, went right through the eye.”  

Investigators said before Taylor shot Indi, he shot and killed officer Edgar Flores. Taylor was shot and killed by responding officers. 

Indi was rushed into emergency surgery. Although he lost his eye, Larsen says Indi didn't lose his drive to work. They started to train to see if Indi could still do his job. “One of the biggest things we had to test him on was gunfire because he was exposed to that very up and close,” Larsen said.  

Larsen said Indi showed no problems. “His nose got a little stronger, which makes him a better tracker,” Larsen said. Back on patrol, Larsen said he's glad to his best friend back at his side.  

“He is my partner, and a member of our family as well,” Larsen said.  

Read the article here!

We sponsor jiu jitsu based survival tactics for Civilian/Military Police Officers and First Responders. Our instructor cadre bring their law enforcement experience, police instructor, and jiu jitsu instructor knowledge to provide realistic amazing training. We truly understand what First Responders deal with and how to curtail training to their needs.   

Some training programs use brute strength and force to strike and control subjects. But what if the First Responder doesn't have that? What if those things just do not work? Jiu jitsu focuses on using leverage and timing while conserving energy, exhausting the opponent and achieving a position of advantage. "The right move at the wrong time is the wrong move". We can't take credit for that quote as one of the jiu jitsu instructors said it, but it's true! (Just like playing chess.) The fear a first responder can experience during a violent attack can cause them to panic and exhaust before the "bad guy". If that happens, hopefully the bad guy just "walks away". 

These techniques can be successfully applied on persons larger/stronger, under the influence of alcohol/drugs or mental disorder, regardless of the Officer's age, gender, size, or athletic ability. The effectiveness and efficiency of these techniques have been time and gear tested by the Gracie family and law enforcement officers for over 20 years and hundreds of police agencies all over the world have adopted the program. 

Learn more here!

Ballistic/Knife-Resistant Vests
Approximately 90% of K-9 units across the country rely on donations to purchase ballistic vests, toys and essential items for their furry Officers. Canines are called upon to engage the most violent criminals in society in some of the most dangerous situations, but are not afforded the same ballistic/stab protection as human officers. 

The HSDF understands this deficiency and provides ballistic vests to canines in need through donations and sponsorships. Canines have proven time and time again that they are extremely valuable not only to police agencies, but the community as well. 

Canine Care Packages
Just like humans, canines like their play time. Come Friday, they just want to relax. Canines work hard all week ensuring the safety of their Handler and their community. 

The HSDF team recognizes this and would like to bring comfort to canines in need. We accept new personal care items, toys, beds and treats to make a care package for injured police canines. We also work with local pet stores to plan toy drive and care item events where donated items are provided to police canines throughout the state. 

Gift donations can be anonymous or we will place a name recognition tag on the donated gift for the receiving canine. 

We chose Kong toys because these toys seem to work best with the destructive chewing caused by anxiety and stress that most police dogs go through on a daily basis.  

If you are interested in helping out with any of the above or have items you wish to donate, please email us at info@HeroesSelfDefense.Org

Canine First Aid Training
In 2018, 28 Police Canines were killed by gunfire (10), asphyxiation, vehicular assault, drowning, heat exhaustion and stabbings. 

While laws are still being passed to allow EMTs to treat and transport police canines, we believe the handler can provide medical treatment at the scene and on the way to the emergency vet saving time and potentially their partner. 

By sponsoring law enforcement canine handlers to attend basic first aid and advanced trauma training, we can ensure our furry heroes have the best chance of survival for any injury they encounter. 

“Society has changed and as a result, there has been a dramatic increase in drug overdoses, violent crimes and assaults on First Responders in our culture. There is a gap in survival tactics training and a missing survival gear element in the First Responder Community and we are going to fill it.” - HSDF Team Member

Law Enforcement Officers receive basic defensive tactics/ground fighting training in the police academy in conjunction with force options such as asp baton, O.C. Spray, Striking and Conducted Electrical Weapons. While these tools are useful and do have their purpose, they are not always the most efficient or effective against a bigger and stronger person, someone under the influence of drugs/alcohol or someone with an extreme mental disorder. After graduating from the police academy, it is up to individual Officers to continue training and most agencies only require defensive tactics update training once every 2 years. Without continued or deliberate training, these skills are perishable. 

Under stress, a lack of training and/or confidence in defensive tactics can result in a fear based response which could lead to detrimental results. 

Officers can seek a martial art program on their own, but unfortunately not all training centers harvest the most police friendly atmosphere which could result in unnecessary injury and fear to train.  An upward cost of $150-$200 a month membership can deter already underpaid officers from continuing to training.  

Military Police Officers receive combatives training but this seems to be standard for all soldiers which means Military Cops are dealing with other soldiers who know the same tactics and counters as they do. Think about playing checkers with someone who knows how to take away your opportunity to use that corner so that you can't beat them in two spots.

You never win the game. 

Read more HERE