INDIANAPOLIS – The police K-9 that ran away after an officer-involved shooting last night has been found safe, but is recovering from a gunshot wound.

Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine said a citizen called after locating the dog, named Apache. Police said the dog had been shot but is expected to recover. The K-9 officer was taken to the vet to treat a neck wound.

Trooper Walter Butt, a five year veteran of the Indiana State Police and Apache’s human partner, also was not injured. He was thankful for Apache’s assistance.

“I’m good. He saved my life…good dog,” he said when they found the dog Wednesday.

Officers began searching for the missing dog around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Troopers continued the search through the night, then intensified their efforts in the daylight of Wednesday morning.

Apache was found in a wooded area near Aspen Way and East 41st Street, which is just under a mile away from the original crime scene.

State police were looking for a suspect around 38th St. & Post Rd. just after 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Trooper Butt tracked him down, but says the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Cortez Lavine Boxley, pushed him away and started running away when Butt tried to pat him down for weapons. Butt remotely opened his car door to let Apache out to help catch Boxley, but he started shooting while running. Butt shot back, hitting Buxley around the same time Apache caught up with him and knocked him down. Police have not confirmed if Apache also bit Buxley.

At last check, Buxley was in serious, but stable condition at a local hospital.

Investigators recovered a handgun, a black mask and drug paraphernalia from Buxley.