An Indiana sheriff’s deputy died protecting her young son from a “pitbull-type” dog that attacked them inside her home Tuesday night, according to authorities.
Tamieka White, a deputy in Marion County for 17 years, was remembered as a “bright light” a day after the was pronounced dead at the scene of the grisly dog attack that also left her 8-year-old kid injured, the Indianapolis Star reported.
The dog was shot and killed by an Indianapolis cop after the animal pounced at police.
Authorities said the dog didn’t belong to White, 46, but have not revealed the identity of the animal’s owner.
“She died last night protecting the most important person in her life,” Brittany Seligman, the slain deputy’s commander said, according to the newspaper.
Indianapolis Animal Care Services said in a statement it seized three additional dogs and a cat from White’s home, and also impounded the dead dog’s body.
The breeds have not been confirmed yet, pending a DNA test, but said all the dogs appeared to be a “pitbull-type.”
Tamieka White, a deputy in Marion County for 17 years.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said White had been a deputy since 2007.
“Deputy White was a bright light to all that knew her,” Sheriff Kerry Forestal said in a statement.
“We are immensely grateful for her nearly 17 years of service to our agency.”
