[PKRWUD]

I forgot to mention the Amtrak Auto Train, that had more than 20 of it's cars derail, in Florida. 4 passengers died, and most of the 200 automobiles that were also on board were totalled.

Then there was this story in this morning's paper:

Oxnard police dog dies in job-related stabbing

FIRST TO DIE: Rudy, with force for 2 years, chased man sought for traffic violation.

A police dog died after being stabbed by a knife-wielding man who threatened an Oxnard officer, authorities said Saturday.

Rudy, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois who has served with the Oxnard Police Department for nearly two years, was pronounced dead at an emergency veterinary hospital Friday night, Cmdr.. Mike Matlock said.

Rudy was the first Oxnard police dog killed in the line of duty, Cmdr. Scott Whitney said.

Police arrested Timothy Paul Knight, 20, of Oxnard, on suspicion of stabbing a police service dog causing death, brandishing a deadly weapon on a police officer, resisting arrest and a probation violation.

Knight was treated at a hospital for dog bites and was being held in the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

An officer tried to stop Knight for a traffic violation about 6:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Tehama Street, Matlock said. Knight ran into his grandmother's house and knocked her to the ground while fleeing from the officer, Matlock said. The grandmother sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

About 30 minutes later, officers saw Knight riding in another vehicle. A K-9 officer, J.R. Perez, stopped the car at Ventura Road and Hill Street, and Knight got out with a knife in his hand, Matlock said.

Knight taunted the officer from 10 to 15 feet away with the knife in his hand and then fled, and Perez directed Rudy to pursue him, Matlock said.

Rudy was stabbed after he caught Knight, Matlock said.

Even after receiving the fatal wound, Rudy continued to subdue Knight until officers were able to arrest him, Whitney said.

"He had a stab wound and he was still doing his job," Whitney said. "It wasn't until they put the handcuffs on the suspect that the dog lay down."

Maybe you're right, Kell. It's gotta get better than this.

Take care,
-Chris