K-9 Killer, Matthew Mireles sentenced to life in prison

SAN ANTONIO - Matthew Reyes Mireles has been sentenced to the max sentence of life in prison for fatally shooting the 5-year-old Belgian Malinois police K-9, Chucky.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Chucky, the K9 officer was shot and killed the night of January 25th, 2019, and received full honors at his funeral.

Deputies said Matthew Mireles, 38, shot Chucky after an intense standoff with deputies. It all started as a high-speed chase in Karnes County at speeds upwards of 100 miles per hour just after 10 Friday night and ended in far west Bexar County.

"Pretty tough night out here for DPS and the Sheriff's office. We're out here at a pretty tough scene," said Salazar.

Salazar said Mireles abandoned his car on Loop 1604 and began walking toward the Alamo Ranch.

"He was still armed. He did fire one shot at deputies as he was exiting his vehicle, and he was walking on foot along the road," said Salazar.

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Deputies held back for a while, but they knew things could get worse at any moment.

"I kept hearing on the radio that this suspect was alternately pointing the gun at himself, pointing the gun at the chopper, pointing the gun at officers and of course, lasering, what we call lasering, passers-by," said Salazar.

Deputies made the decision to send in Chucky. The dog did what he was trained to do and grabbed hold of Mireles.

"Unfortunately, the suspect fired several shots. Chucky was struck and died there on the scene," said Salazar.

That's when deputies opened fire and shot the suspect.

Salazar said they know the score. A life in law enforcement means a life at risk. And when they lose one of their own, it hurts.

"And it doesn't make it any easier when that deputy has four legs," said Salazar.

Salazar said Chucky died trying to save the lives of others. In that, he takes some solace.

Mireles was taken to the hospital in critical condition.