Retired police dog who was shot three times in the face was awarded a "lifetime award"

    photo:PA images

A lifetime achievement medal has been given to a retired Humberside Police canine in the UK who survived being shot three times in the face while performing his duties.

German Shepherd Logan, age 8, was presented with his prize during a ceremony held by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation in Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire.

Logan is his "soulmate," according to his owner and previous handler PC Ian Sweeney (52) of north-east Lincolnshire, who attended the awards.

Since it recognises everything he has accomplished, PC Sweeney, a police officer for 28 years and 13 of those spent in the dog unit, said: "I don't think you ever really expect you'll achieve something like that.

“It makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“Logan is my soul mate and I am so proud of him for everything he has achieved.

"I'm still really stunned, surprised, and overjoyed by it," the speaker said.

Logan, a 10-month-old puppy from the South Yorkshire Police breeding programme, joined the Humberside Police in January 2015.

Logan was matched with PC Sweeney despite having no training, who claimed to have "never known a dog like him."

A general-purpose police canine typically requires 13 weeks to train, but Logan only needed eight, and we were able to put him to work in the streets in May 2015.

"I've never known a dog like him; he was a natural in tracking and scent detection.

"He had an impeccable career; he consistently passed all of his tests and never made a mistake. He was the ideal canine.

Logan was certified as a weapons support dog in 2017, but a year later, in Grimsby, he nearly lost his life defending his owner from a would-be assassin.

PC Sweeney added, "We knew where he was hiding and we knew he had a bladed weapon."

"When Logan and I cornered him, he turned and threatened to shoot us with a revolver."

The two were both critically hurt during the arrest, according to PC Sweeney, who expressed his worry that he was "sending Logan to his death."

“I deployed Logan which was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make as I thought I may be sending him to his death to protect me,” PC Sweeney said.

“I got hit in the face three times and Logan was also shot in the mouth and head three times – but, despite his injuries, he still detained him successfully.”

Following the incident, Logan was given the North East Region 2 National Bravery Award in addition to receiving the Heart of the Community Award.

PC Sweeney continued, "I don't have enough shelf space for all of his medals and awards."

Logan located a high-risk missing individual who had vanished from his home in December 2020.

Logan found the man, who was naked and on the verge of death, after spending 70 minutes exploring a roughly five square mile area in minus two degrees. He then guided rescuers to the victim, saving his life.

Superintendent Lee Edwards of the Humberside Police said: "Logan has a long list of accomplishments.

                        (Thin Blue Paw Foundation/PA)

We all feel really proud of RPD Logan and wish him well on receiving his well-deserved award for all that he has accomplished over his seven and a half years of service.

Logan departed in May of this year after making more than 300 successful arrests and receiving two chief constable commendations.

Being a dog handler is my dream job, and I feel extremely fortunate to have worked alongside Logan for seven and a half years. "Now that he is mine, I simply want him to have a beautiful retirement," said PC Sweeney.