Man arrested after shooting Walker County deputy, killing sheriff's office dog

photo Steven Lee Waldemer

A 58-year-old man on parole out of Idaho on a kidnapping charge was arrested Friday after an attempt to serve warrants on him led to the death of a Walker County, Ga., sheriff's office dog and injuries to a deputy sheriff, a news release states.

Steven Lee Waldemer was taken into custody at a Moonlake Road address in Menlo, Ga., where he had lived since spring 2012, according to the release from Sheriff Steve Wilson. His probation had been transferred to Walker County.

Officers were trying to serve Waldemer with a Walker County warrant on charges of aggravated sexual battery and a search warrant when he resisted arrest, shooting K-9 Deputy Tanja, who died as a result of her wounds, and Deputy Sheriff Donnie Brown, the sheriff said. Brown was treated at a hospital for superficial wounds to his face and neck.

About two hours after that initial confrontation, Department of Corrections K-9 Officer Heath Whited and his bloodhound found the suspect in a wooded area, the release states.

Waldemer is being held at the Walker County Jail on the sexual battery charges.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the probe and more charges are pending, according to the sheriff.

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