HUNTINGTON BEACH : Police Dog Saved His Life, Officer Says

A police officer whose canine partner was stabbed to death in the line of duty said Tuesday that he believes the dog saved his life during the incident.

Huntington Beach Police Officer Jim Weaver, speaking with reporters for the first time since the fracas Sunday in which a man police were chasing allegedly killed the dog, said that the loss for him is more painful than had he lost a human partner.

Kim, a 5 1/2-year-old German shepherd, was given blood transfusions and a heart massage among other efforts in a vain attempt to save his life. He is the first Huntington Beach police dog to be killed in the line of duty.

The incident occurred late Sunday afternoon in what began as a seemingly routine traffic stop. Weaver had been patrolling Pacific Coast Highway northwest of Golden West Street when he pulled over a car bearing expired registration tags.

The driver, Nick Spagnolo, 37, of Harrisburg, Pa., handed the officer a California identification card that police said was expired. As Weaver returned to his patrol car to check the driver’s record, Spagnolo took off, and, Police Lt. Ed McErlain said, he was then pursued by car and later on foot. A patrol car from Seal Beach later joined in the chase.

Spagnolo stopped his car near Seal Beach Boulevard and Westminster Avenue, then ran into a shopping center parking lot. After he failed to heed Weaver’s order to stop, police said, the officer released Kim, who tackled Spagnolo and took him to the ground. During the struggle, police said, Spagnolo used a 4-inch knife to stab the dog in the chest, neck and paw.

Police said Spagnolo then dropped the knife as officers ordered but then took off again on foot. Weaver was able to capture Spagnolo and take him into custody, police said.

In the meantime, Kim, although he was “bleeding profusely,” came to Weaver’s aid until the arrest was complete, Weaver said.

“When I first saw the initial attack, I knew it was going to be serious,” Weaver said Tuesday during a City Hall news conference. “One of your biggest fears in K-9 work is a knife.”

Asked whether he believes Kim saved his life, Weaver said: “Yes. I was the first one to the suspect. It could’ve been me. . . . I’m a little uncomfortable with the word hero, but, yeah, he did his job.”

Weaver described Kim as a dog who was aggressive on duty but otherwise a lovable, playful pet.

“He enjoyed the work, but when it came time to knock off work, it was like he had a little button back there that he turned off,” Weaver said of Kim.

Because Kim and two of his pups lived with the Weaver family, the officer said the loss has been particularly difficult. Asked whether losing the dog is comparable to losing a human partner, Weaver replied without hesitation: “It’s worse. Kim goes home with me tonight. There’s a constant contact. It’s a very close bond.”

Memorial services for Kim are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Sea Breeze Pet Cemetery, 19542 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach.

A new German shepherd will join the other four dogs in the K-9 unit next month, McErlain said. The new dog will cost the city between $6,000 and $7,000, with another $2,000 going for training for it, he said.

McErlain said he fielded scores of sympathy phone calls and received many letters Tuesday, and that one resident gave police a $250 check toward the cost of replacing Kim.

Police are continuing to investigate Spagnolo’s background. They have found two warrants for traffic violations. Spagnolo has been charged with a felony in connection with the dog’s death and is being held at the Orange County Jail.