Mississippi Prison K-9 Officer Killed in Shooting

Authorities offer $1,000 reward for information leading to arrest of shooter

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark, textured surface, conceptually representing the investigation into the shooting of a police K-9 officer.The shooting of a Mississippi prison K-9 officer exposes the dangers law enforcement animals face while protecting the public.Holly Springs Today

A 7-year-old Dutch Shepherd K-9 officer named Floki was shot and killed while patrolling the perimeter of a Mississippi prison. The Mississippi Department of Corrections is investigating the incident and offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.

Why it matters

The killing of Floki, a K-9 officer tasked with keeping contraband out of the prison, has sparked outrage in the local community and raised questions about the severity of charges that should be filed against the perpetrator. The incident highlights the risks that law enforcement animals face in the line of duty.

The details

Floki was on patrol around 7:45 p.m. on April 1 when he was struck by a bullet while walking along the secured border fence of the Marshall County Correctional Facility in Holly Springs. His body was discovered the next morning by his K-9 commander. Authorities believe the shooting was intentional, as Floki was fulfilling his duties to detect and deter the smuggling of contraband into the prison.

  • On April 1, around 7:45 p.m., Floki was shot while patrolling the prison perimeter.
  • On April 2, Floki's body was found by his K-9 commander.

The players

Floki

A 7-year-old multipurpose Dutch Shepherd K-9 officer trained for tracking and drug detection, assigned to the Marshall County Correctional Facility.

Josh Russell

The K-9 commander who discovered Floki's body.

Burl Cain

The Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner who is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the shooter's arrest and conviction.

Frank Caswell

The superintendent of the Marshall County Correctional Facility.

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What they’re saying

“It's a shame to kill a defenseless dog who was doing his job to help us keep contraband out of the prison. It's just a shame to kill our dog.”

— Burl Cain, Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner

What’s next

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Holly Springs Police Department, and the facility's Corrections Investigation Division are all investigating the incident. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Marshall County Correctional Facility Superintendent or the prison's Corrections Investigation Division.

The takeaway

The killing of Floki, a K-9 officer on duty, has sparked outrage in the community and raised questions about the appropriate charges for harming a law enforcement animal. This incident highlights the risks that police dogs face while protecting the public and the need for stronger protections for these service animals.