K-9 Officer Rocky Shot After Locating Suspected Cop Killer in Houston Dumpster

Mar. 15, 2025

Rocky.Photo:U.S. Marshal’s Office

U.S. Marshal’s Office

Rocky, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service, sustained multiple gunshot wounds on Jan. 15 after alerting officers to the location of Robert Lee Davis, who was suspected of killing Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Vargas earlier in the day.

Davis was hiding in a dumpster near the site of the shooting, an alley outside a strip mall on Stella Link Road in Houston, law enforcement said ata press conferenceWednesday evening.

Just before 5 p.m., Rocky alerted law enforcement sweeping the area to the dumpster, said Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz. When officers opened it up, Rocky jumped inside and found Davis hiding under “tons” of trash, said Diaz.

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas.Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office

Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The suspect immediately started shooting, striking Rocky twice before officers could return fire, said Diaz. Davis was hit multiple times and succumbed to his injuries in the dumpster.

Rocky.U.S. Marshal’s Office

“The amazing aspect here, and people have to understand, the K-9 saved lives," said T. Michael O’Connor, the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Texas. “This guy had no intentions whatsoever to be taken alive.”

Earlier in the day, Vargas had been serving Davis with an arrest warrant on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when the suspect opened fire on officers, striking Vargas,the Houston Chronicle reported. The deputy was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved.

Davis was also wanted on aggravated sexual assault charges, stemming from the alleged rape of a family member at gunpoint in April of last year, the Chronicle reported.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.

source: people.com