Luke’s knees buckled.

Backup arrived minutes later. The man was cuffed, Rex rushed to the vet, but it was too late.

By dawn, the department draped Rex’s photo in black ribbon.

The story spread across town — the K9 who gave his life to stop a bullet meant for a criminal.

At the funeral, hundreds gathered — officers, families, children holding signs that read “Good Boy Rex.”

Luke stood silently by the coffin, his uniform soaked in rain, his hand resting on the flag.

That’s when the crowd parted.

A man in orange prison garb stepped forward, escorted by two officers. It was the suspect — Ethan Cole, 28, white male, gaunt, eyes sunken but alive.

Everyone tensed. Luke’s hand twitched toward his holster.