On April 18, 2025, approximately 1:40 a.m., officers observed a stolen vehicle at a gas station. Officers attempted a traffic stop and the vehicle fled. After a short pursuit, the vehicle became inoperable. The driver ran from the car, and K-9 Knox was released to apprehend the suspect. During the release of the K-9, another officer continued in his police vehicle and struck K-9 Knox, the Roanoke PD said on Facebook .
Knox was immediately taken to Emergency Veterinarian Services where he later died.
The driver has been identified as 44-year-old Timothy Darnell Bryant, of Roanoke. He is wanted on charges of grand larceny, felony eluding, felony hit and run, driving on a revoked/suspended license, and additional outstanding warrants.
A passenger in the vehicle remained at the scene and was taken into custody. Stephini Salama, 34, was arrested on active warrants from other jurisdictions. She was additionally charged with Failure to Identify to Law Enforcement.
K-9 Knox, a 3-year-old male German Shepherd, joined RPD in May 2023 as a Narcotics Detection and Patrol Apprehension K-9.