Man accused of shooting North Versailles police officer, K9 sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison – WPXI

NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. — It's been nearly a year since a North Versailles police officer and his K9 were shot, and the violence that occurred still worries the police chief.

PHOTOS: Police seek suspect after officer-involved shooting in North Versailles

“Close the door on this incident and move on,” Chief Locke told Channel 11.

North Versailles Police Chief Norm Locke and officers can finally feel a sense of closure after Ian Fields pleaded guilty to shooting one of their officers and a police dog the day after Thanksgiving last year.

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Fields, who was also shot that early morning, will spend the next 15 to 30 years behind bars.

“They came to an agreement that they thought was appropriate. Mr. Fields took responsibility for his actions in court, and I think that's one way everyone can move forward,” the chief said.

Fields shot at several officers as they responded to a domestic violence call – Officer Steven Shawley was shot in the face and hand, and his police dog was shot in the leg.

“This was not a case of a police officer acting proactively or failing a traffic stop… he was acting as a guardian of his community,” he added.

Today, Channel 11 learned firsthand that the police K-9 Chase has made a full recovery.

As for the police community, Chief Locke is still reeling from violence against police – as several officers have been killed in the line of duty in Allegheny County in recent years.

“These are people who have families and children and this is having a drastic impact on them,” he added.

He hopes his department never has to go through something like this again.

“We are all people, we all talk and see each other in court, we are friends. It affects everyone as a whole and we are extremely grateful that Officer Shawley is here and healthy,” he said.

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