BCSO deputies returned fire, hitting the man. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

SAN ANTONIO — A Bexar County K-9 is dead from gunshot wounds and the man the dog was after is in critical condition after being shot several times as well, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said. The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Matthew Reyes Mireles.

Salazar said Mireles shot the dog multiple times as the K-9 was trying to help other officers end a chase and shootout that spanned three counties late Friday.

Chucky was a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, Sheriff Salazar said. He had been with this handler about 2 years.

"In law enforcement, we always expect that although we try our hardest, at the end of our shift, not everybody makes it home," Salazar said. "So sometimes officers, deputies, troopers, we lose our lives in the line of duty. That doesn’t make it any easier when the deputy’s got 4 legs."

The K-9 did not have a vest when he went after Mireles. An official statement from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office issued Saturday evening reads the following:

“Chucky does have an issued vest, but was not able to wear it at the time. The vest is not able to be worn at all times, due to overheating concerns and physical fatigue on the dog. It is intended to be placed on the dog in the event of a pre-planned operation.

This was not a pre-planned event, due to the deadly actions of the suspect placing the general public and officers on scene in danger of imminent death or serious bodily injury.

The K9 handler who was actively engaged in pursuing the armed suspect did not have an opportunity to place the vest on Chucky as doing so would have continued to place the public in imminent danger. Immediate actions had to be taken to ensure the suspect was stopped quickly.”

The pursuit, which officials said started with a Karnes County traffic stop, ended in west Bexar County at Loop 1604 and Highway 151.

Mireles had fired several shots at officers before he stopped at Highway 1604 and Highway 151. There he left his pickup and fired another shot toward police officers, they said.

Mireles could be seen seemingly talking into his phone after he left his vehicle. While walking, he was also waving around a firearm in his other hand. He walked along the roadway for more than 20 minutes while law enforcement stayed nearby, eventually setting the K-9 officer on the individual.

"Chucky was able to get a bite on the suspect," Salazar said. "He did get a hold of him. Unfortunately, that suspect fired several shots and Chucky was struck and died there on the scene."

Deputies then returned fire, striking the suspect several times. Salazar said Mireles was hit several times in the lower extremities but was talking as he was transported from the scene.

Deputies performed CPR on Mireles and were able to revive him. He is currently in the hospital recovering. He faces charges of interfering with a police service animal, attempted capital murder of a police officer, aggravated assault against a public servant and evading arrest. His bond amount totals $650,000 for all charges, according to BCSO.

Sheriff Salazar said the Bexar County Sheriff's Office is making funeral arrangements for K-9 Chucky and they are planning full honors for the fallen animal.