Leg-Casted Police K9 Bodie Runs Final Lap Of 100 Mile Race With Officer
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – On Sunday, Sacramento police Officer Randy Van Dusen made his final lap of 100 mile race with Bodie, the police dog shot by a suspect last month.
"That was a long 28 and a half hours," said Van Dusen.
From Squaw Valley to Auburn, the western states' endurance run had its challenges.
"We had some hail, freezing temperatures, gusts up at Squaw Valley, worked on through it and got down here," said Van Dusen.
With cheering support, Van Dusen managed to keep it together.
"At mile 50, (a poster of Bodie was) at one of the hardest climbs of the race," said Van Dusen.
It was a reminder of who was waiting for him at the end, and all the running was a huge stress reliever.
"It's awesome. I look at him; he's a strong dog. He's been through so much, an awesome dog," said Van Dusen.
Bodie was shot in the line of duty during a foot chase in the Land Park area.
He was shot once in the jaw, and once in the right front leg. In the end Van Dusen shot and killed the suspect, and Bodie almost died.
"Seeing his little fan club down here, I started crying," said Van Dusen.
It was an emotional race with an emotional finish.
Bodie joined Van Dusen for the last lap, and had his little K-9 cast still wrapped around his paw. They finished off those 100 miles together, running side by side.
"We can persevere through strength, and sticking to it, and forcing ourselves to get through this," said Van Dusen.
Bodie is expected to return to full duty in December.
