K-9 Shooting Suspect Back in Smith County, Two Others Arrested

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff’s deputies have returned to Smith County from Dallas with Michael Paul Koch, suspected in the fatal shooting of a police dog, and two other suspects in the incident have been arrested. That’s according to a news release from Sheriff Larry Smith. Koch was arrested in Dallas on January 23 by Smith County sheriff’s detectives and Dallas Police Department officers on multiple charges out of Smith and Dallas counties. After pleading guilty to the charges against him in Dallas County, Koch was released to Smith County officials to face charges pending against him in Smith County.

Koch faces multiple charges in the January 19 shooting death of K9 Officer Ogar. Koch has been charged with interference with police service animal with bond set at $200,000, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon with bond set at $50,000, and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle with previous conviction, bond set at $50,000. Ogar was fatally shot following a traffic stop on January 19, after which Koch allegedly fled on foot in an attempt to avoid apprehension.

The two additional suspects were arrested for allegedly assisting Koch in his attempt to avoid arrest. They’re named as Matthew David Bryant and Aimee Marie McCraw. According to Smith, arrest affidavits show that Bryant was stopped on a traffic violation and admitted to authorities that he was talking on the phone with Koch and that he had been instructed to retrieve money and an unknown female from Mineola and take them items to Koch in Dallas. Bryant is being charged with hindering Koch’s arrest, prosecution, conviction, or punishment. McCraw has reportedly made admissions to Smith County Sheriff’s detectives describing her role in assisting Koch in avoiding law enforcement. McCraw is being charged with the intent to hinder Koch’s arrest, prosecution, conviction, or punishment. Bond is $300,000 for each suspect.