We all have heroes, and heroes are important. They inspire us, they set examples for us, and they protect us from those who would do us harm. Some of those heroes walk on two legs - others, four. The Anchorage Police Department's K-9 Ray is one of the latter kind.

Anchorage is lucky to have a hero like K-9 Ray in their police department. On Sunday, Ray helped Anchorage Police officers take down an axe-wielding arsonist.

A standoff between Anchorage police and a wanted felon unfolded at an encampment on the 1700-block of A Street on Sunday, when 42-year-old T J Walker attempted to set an occupied tent on fire and then threatened officers with an ax. 

The incident occurred late at night, when Anchorage Police Dispatch received a call reporting that Walker was trying to set a tent on fire and was threatening its occupant with an ax. The caller told Dispatch that Walker had an outstanding felony warrant and was making threatening statements.

The tent, presumably, belonged to a member of Anchorage's homeless population, although that is not clear from the story. It is also unclear as to whether the perp T J Walker was himself a member of that population. What is clear is that Ray was up to the task of dealing with Walker, who was resisting arrest.

After several tense moments, Walker finally relinquished the ax but continued to move aggressively toward officers, despite multiple warnings and commands. K-9 Ray was called into service after Walker appeared determined not to cooperate. The police dog engaged with Walker, biting him on the arm. Walker fought back, attempting to choke K-9 Ray with his other arm.

Officers then took Walker to the ground to subdue him. Despite more resistance, Walker was ultimately handcuffed and taken into custody. Following the incident, Walker was transported to a hospital for treatment of the dog bite. Once medically cleared, he was remanded to the Anchorage Jail on his existing felony warrant. 

In addition to his prior charges, Walker now faces new charges, including Assault III, Harm to a Police Dog II, and Resisting arrest.

Ray earned a couple of extra doggie treats on Sunday night, that much is certain.

The purpose of police dogs, in large part, is to place themselves in harm's way and, if necessary, to take the brunt of an attack to protect the human officers. Ray did all that, of course, as he was trained to do, and as other police dogs have done. These dogs are highly trained and highly valuable, and what's more, their handlers generally love them. The bond between humans and dogs is unique in nature, and that bond is strongest between working dogs and their handlers; be the working dog a police K-9, a military dog, or even a hunting or herding dog. 

Contrast animals like K-9 Ray, however, to President Biden's dogs, whose primary purpose in life appears to be sucking up oxygen, turning kibble into poop, and biting Secret Service agents. Repeatedly.

Let's hope that K-9 Ray and his fellows continue to take a bite out of crime, and may they serve the residents of Anchorage and the state of Alaska for years to come. Good boy, Ray!  Good boy!