Memorial to be held for Long Beach K-9 Credo, who was killed by friendly fire during suspect fight

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A memorial will be held at a park Wednesday afternoon for Credo, a Long Beach K-9 who was shot and killed during a fight with a suspect in June.

The service will be at LBPOA Park, 7390 E. Carson St., around 1 p.m. Police are asking anyone who attends to make a donation in Credo's memory to the Long Beach K-9 Officers Association.

On June 28, members of a U.S. Marshals Task Force made contact with a gang shooting suspect near East 16th Street and Temple Avenue. The suspect ran into an apartment building and barricaded himself there.

When the suspect finally exited the building, police said he aggressively charged at officers. That's when Credo was deployed in an attempt to stop the suspect, but he pulled out a knife and continued moving toward officers.

During the struggle, an officer fired his gun, hitting both the suspect and Credo. The K-9 was rushed to an animal hospital but he succumbed to his injuries.

Credo had served the department for two years alongside his handler, Officer Mike Parcells. The 4-year-old Belgian Malinois was involved in more than 30 apprehensions during his time at LBPD.

City News Service contributed to this report.