HBPD marks the 32nd Anniversary of K9 Kim's death
by: Jennifer Carey
Published: May 29, 2023
HUNTINGTON BEACH...Last Friday, May 26th marks the 32nd anniversary of the death of HBPD K9 Kim.
On May 26, 1991, shortly after 5:00 pm, K9 Officer Jim Weaver and his Police Service Dog Kim conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on PCH.
Shortly after contacting the vehicle's sole occupant, the driver drove off at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit ensued. At the end of the pursuit, the suspect tried to escape on foot and ignored repeated commands to surrender.
Officer Weaver released K9 Kim, who chased the suspect down, overtaking him in a nearby parking lot. The dog bit the suspect and took him to the ground. Once on the ground, the suspect grabbed a knife and stabbed K9 Kim, causing major injuries. The suspect finally surrendered to officers and was charged with multiple crimes.
K9 Kim was flown to an emergency veterinary hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, despite life-saving measures, he passed away a short time later. K9 Kim was 5 ½ years old at the time of his death and had served the City of HB for two years.
The HBPD’s K9 program was started in 1972. K9 Kim was the first and remains the only HBPD K9 to have been killed in the line of duty.