K9 Shooting Suspect Indicted on Six Counts

TYLER — A Smith County grand jury has returned a 6-count indictment on 36-year-old Michael Koch following an incident in which he allegedly shot a police dog to death. The indictment lists evading arrest, interference with service animal, felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and theft. Officials say several of the charges have been enhanced due to his prior criminal record. Koch remains in the Smith County Jail awaiting trial. K9 Ogar was fatally shot following a traffic stop on January 19, after which Koch allegedly fled on foot.

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. Two other suspects have also been arrested in the January 19 incident.