We’ve lost yet another hero to the scourge of gun violence.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s office delivered quite a bit of devastating news recently. There were multiple fatalities in a confrontation between two suspects involved in a hit-and-run and sheriff’s deputies.

On Tuesday, August 11th, deputies attempted to pull over a car driving erratically on Clemson Boulevard in Anderson County, South Carolina, not far from the Georgia border. After the car sped away, police pursued but gave up the chase when they said it became dangerous and the suspects were nearing the city limits.

But another call came in a few minutes later after that same car stuck a taxi cab near a Lowe’s parking lot.

Deputies headed back out to the scene with a K9 unit.

Meanwhile, the suspects jumped out of their car and attempted to flee the scene, returning briefly for a bag, then fleeing again.

K9 unit Roscoe was on the trail, following their scent to a nearby hill. But the officers had no idea that the suspects were armed and seemingly waiting for them.

A firefight ensued.

One bullet hit a young, male suspect, 21-year-old Bryan Keith Hamilton, Jr. of Greer, South Carolina in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his injury was later found by the coroner to be self-inflicted.

A young female was air-lifted by Lifeflight to the hospital for treatment for a bullet wound but further details are not yet available as it appears she is a minor.

But the male suspect wasn’t the only one gravely injured at the scene – 3-and-a-half-year-old K9 unit Roscoe was also caught in the crossfire.

Roscoe took a bullet that McBride first said came from one of the suspects’ guns. However, on August 13th it was announced that the dog was the victim of friendly fire. The bullet had come from a deputy’s firearm.

No deputies were shot.

The dog was taken to the emergency veterinarian for treatment but didn’t make it.

“Roscoe made it through the night, and we were seemingly positive, but then he had a rough morning and ultimately succumbed to his injuries,” McBride said.

McBride confirmed around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday that Roscoe had passed away.

“He was a very good canine and this is a huge loss for our unit,” the sheriff said.

Roscoe was a German Shepherd who had been working with the department since August 2018. He was also nationally certified in narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, and tracking.

“This is a very tragic incident one in which we are continuing to grieve our K9 Roscoe who is no longer with us,” said Anderson County PIO JT Foster.

Condolences poured in from around the community, in particular on the local Fox News station’s Facebook page in a post that announced Roscoe’s death.

“So very sad! I am praying for comfort for his partner as well as all of ACSO. Some people will say this was just a dog but that is so far from the truth. Roscoe was an officer, partner and friend. I am sure every member of law enforcement is hurting knowing he lost his life in the line of duty,” said one commenter.

Hundreds of other commenters also thanked Roscoe for his service to the community and the post has now gone viral with nearly 1000 shares.

You can scroll down below for the updated report on the entire incident.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: FOX Carolina, Fox Carolina News via Facebook, WYFF News, WSPA News