SC man charged with killing police dog killed in the line of duty, Lexington sheriff says

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, a Prosperity man was arrested last week and charged with the fatal shooting of a police dog.

James Robert Peterson, 37, was charged with animal cruelty to a police dog, disturbing the peace, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain crimes, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon and four counts of pointing and displaying a firearm at a person, according to arrest warrants.

Peterson is being held at the Newberry County Detention Center.

“We have concluded that these charges are warranted due to Peterson’s conduct during the encounter with Newberry County officers and SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) agents,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in the statement.

On June 11, Newberry County officials and SLED agents responded to execute a warrant for a felony near Gravel Road in the Prosperity neighborhood.

Peterson was reportedly found hiding in a relative’s home, the sheriff’s office said. He disobeyed orders and fired at officers. As the dog attempted to apprehend him, he encountered K9 Coba, a Belgian Malinois mix who joined SLED in 2021.

The Eighth Judicial District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case.

“Today is a somber day, but also a day of celebration for a server and partner,” SLED CEO Mark Keel said at a memorial service. “Coba will be remembered for his dedication to SLED and his partner (Cole Powell).”

“No human counterpart … goes home with their partner, shares their family with their partner and becomes part of the family. Because of the ultimate sacrifice that Coba made, the family remained intact” as Powell and other officers involved in Peterson’s arrest went home to their families.