St. Paul Police Department honors officers, dog
St. Paul police saluted eight officers Tuesday with their department's highest honor, a medal of valor.
Sergeant Ann Bebeau was honored for apprehending a bat-wielding assualt suspect she happened on while out on a run. Officers Michael Carroll and Robert Howell stopped a sword-swinging man on a St. Paul street.
Five others were involved in an April shootout in an East Side alley. Adam Bailey, Brian Casey, Heather Kuchinka and Douglas Wilson rushed to the scene. But officer Patrick Murphy's dog, Boomer may have been the real hero: he was shot in the snout and barely survived the incident.
Murphy said his dog officially retired today, because of his wounds.
"The vasy majority of the police work, we just use the dogs for a locating tool, and their ability to scent and find things is more important than their ability to bite. With that bullet passing through the nasal passages, he just doesn't smell the same that he used to," Murphy said.
Boomer, too, was recognized for his service at today's ceremony.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.