the specific circumstances and the severity of the crime
involved, it may be given to SWAT to handle as a barri-cade-type incident. At this point, the canine has done its
job and located the secreted suspect.
Alert to Danger
The four other teams continued to search. This proved to
be a wise decision; approximately one hour into the continued search, K- 9 Rocco (searching with Officer Tom
Call) alerted on the suspect. The alert was a “high alert,”
as the suspect was secreted on top of a roof under the
overhang of a large tree. The suspect was approximately
15 feet back from the edge of the roof.
The dog gave a strong alert, allowing Officer Call to
advise his cover officers. K- 9 Rocco pinpointed directly
underneath the spot where the suspect was lying. After
K- 9 Rocco’s alert, air support was called in to assist. The
forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera indicated a
strong heat signature under the dense tree. This FLIR
hit was also being relayed via a live feed to the Com-
mand Post, and the heat source of the prone suspect
could be seen clearly.
Numerous commands were given for the suspect —
who was still armed with a handgun — to surrender.
SWAT officers then isolated the suspect and made their
way to the rooftop. During this time, Zubek was shot in
The off-lead search allowed K- 9
Rocco to work well ahead of the
team while problem-solving this
difficult find.
the lower torso after he pulled out a handgun and
pointed it at police officers on the roof of a residence.
Showing great restraint, those officers fired only one
round in return. Even though he was incapacitated,
Zubek lay on the roof and attempted to bait officers to
come to him. His handgun was within reach. Officers
