Three Kentucky police officers and a police dog were killed and at least four other officers were wounded after a shootout in a residential area in the city of Prestonsburg Thursday night, police said. Prestonsburg police Capt. Ralph Fresure and Deputy William Petrie were identified as among the dead, as were K9 Nelson and canine handler Jacob Chaffins, Kentucky State Police said. Lance Storz, 49, was arrested after a shootout at his home as two officers arrived to serve him a warrant shortly before 7 p.m. Storz, armed with a rifle, opened fire and struck both officers, the Prestonsburg Police Department said. Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt told reporters Friday that officers encountered “pure hell” when they arrived at the scene, saying they had “no chance.” Other officers from different jurisdictions responded to the incident and at least four were injured, they added. Ptl. Jake Chaffins & K9 Nelson killed during shootout on June 30, 2022. (City of Prestonsburg) “It’s heartbreaking, you know, any time you have a loss of life,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart told Fox 56. “Not only did I work with these people, they were our friends, and as a community, you have to stick together and push it together. And we ask that you all keep these officers in your thoughts and prayers.” CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER SHOT BY ATTACKING ASSAULT, OFFICIALS SAY “Jake and K9 Nelson completed two weeks of training in Little Rock, Arkansas, where the duo became ‘nationally certified in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension,’” the city of Prestonsburg said. Nelson was a Belgian Malinois, was born on January 20, 2020. “Nelson began training for a career as a service dog at birth and was imported to the United States last July where he began specific areas of training and control,” the city added. Capt. Freysure commanded the Special Projects Division, which includes School Resources and Security, Criminal Investigations and Interdiction Task Force, and Training and Readiness, the city of Prestonsburg said. Floyd County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Ralph Frasure, wearing khakis, is pictured during his swearing-in ceremony on June 21, 2022. He was fatally shot on June 30, 2022. (City of Prestonsburg, Kentucky Police Department) KENTUCKY OFFICERS INJURED IN ‘FATAL’ SHOOTING. SUSPECT IN CUSTODY: LAW ENFORCEMENT “The male fired hundreds of rounds from pre-determined firearms throughout the home,” read a post from the Officer Down Memorial page. Storz is wanted on domestic violence charges, police said. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES Lance Storz was charged with killing a police officer and assaulting a service animal. (Credit: Pike County Detention Center) “For thirty-nine years you served with honor and glory until the last second, when you did not go down without a fight. We love you. Your work here is done. There will never be another,” the Prestonsburg police -of-watch concluded in a post on Facebook in honor of Frasure. “You have dedicated your short time on this earth to serving the citizens of Prestonsburg and the Commonwealth as an EMT, Firefighter and Police Officer. You have further dedicated yourself to the safety of our country as a brave soldier,” another end-of-watch post , honoring Chaffins, he said. “The lives you’ve saved since you even started policing are countless, and that’s how you gave your life – saving another. We’ll shine your light on Paisley and the world as long as we breathe,” the post added. “Relax, we have the clock.” The Louisville Metro Police Department expressed its condolences to the officers from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department, Prestonsburg KY, the City of Prestonsburg, KY, the Kentucky State Police and others who responded to a fatal police shooting on June 30, 2022. (Police Dept. Louisville Metro) Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the “tragic loss” of the officers in a tweet Friday morning and asked members of the Floyd County community to pray for the injured and the families of those affected by the shooting. “Floyd County and our brave first responders suffered a tragic loss last night,” the governor tweeted. “I want to ask all of Kentucky to join me in praying for this community. This is a difficult morning for our commonwealth.” TENNIS MAN ON THE RUN AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOT POLICE OFFICER, DEAD AFTER SHOWOUT WITH KENTUCKY POLICE “Britain and I are praying for the families of the lost, the injured and the entire Allen community. These heroes sacrificed everything to protect our people,” Besir added in a follow-up tweet. Britain’s First Lady Bessier similarly tweeted that her “heart breaks for the Allen community”. She also said her “thoughts and prayers are with” each of the families affected by the shootings. “Let’s honor our first responders for their bravery and sacrifice,” he added. At least four officers and a civilian were wounded in the shootout, state police said, although the arrest report said five officers and a civilian were injured. The conditions of the injured were not immediately clear. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Storz was charged with multiple counts of murder of a police officer, attempted murder of a police officer and assault on a service animal, police said. Three Prestonsburg police officers were killed and others injured during a shooting incident on June 30, 2022. (Prestonsburg Police/Facebook) He is being held on $10 million bail pending a July 11 court hearing. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
