Johnstown K9 officer dies in line of duty while searching for burglary suspects

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A Johnstown K9 officer died in the line of duty early Sunday morning while searching for suspects during a burglary, Johnstown police said.

Police said they were dispatched to 249 Maple St., the old Goodwill warehouse, at 4:19 a.m.

Officers searched the building and arrested two people who were hiding. Police said they learned there were five suspects total and called for Officer Brian Stevens and K9 Titan to assist with the search.

Tragically, while searching the building, K9 Titan fell through an unsecured, open elevator shaft from the fourth floor, police said.

All five suspects were arrested.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

K9 Titan was Officer Stevens partner and served with the Johnstown Police Department since 2014.

There will be a police escort of K9 Titan from the Johnstown Public Safety Building to the Hindman Funeral Home on Frankstown Road at 11 a.m. on Monday.

The Johnstown Police Department said any member of the community who would like to pay their respects can line the streets. They said not to come to the Public Safety building parking lot out of respect for Stevens’ family

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