Celebrated cop Bruce Lamb who was saved from being shot by his dog dies

Celebrated police dog handler Bruce Lamb has died while on a hunting trip with friends.

Lamb, who had been in the police for 45 years, was in the Ashburton Lakes area when he died on Tuesday night.

Relieving Canterbury district commander Corrie Parnell said the news was devastating.

“Bruce passed away last night whilst on a hunting trip with friends. It is hard to put into words the depth of loss that individuals and teams will experience across all of NZ Police in response to this tragic news.

“Bruce has been part of our Canterbury police family for 45 years and was one of New Zealand Police’s longest-serving dog handlers.”

Lamb, a father of three children – two of whom are police officers – was decorated after he was shot in the jaw and knocked to the ground in 2010 in what should have been a routine drug warrant in Phillipstown, Christchurch.

Lamb’s dog Gage leapt towards the offender as he pointed the firearm at him and was shot.

He died at the scene. The offender then turned his gun on Constable Mitch Alatalo, shooting him in the leg.

“Gage was probably the best patrol dog I’ve ever worked,” Lamb said of his dog.

Lamb was shot at three times in his career and was also first on the scene at one of New Zealand’s first active shooter events, where a man was shot in Cathedral Square in 1989.

Paying tribute following his death, Parnell said: “He was well known and well respected across the organisation and in the communities he served.

“Of course, this loss will be felt most deeply by his close-knit family, his friends and his dog section colleagues. Our love and prayers are with them.

“Bruce dedicated his life to policing, a passion he shared with his family. There are many things he will be remembered for – a real family man and a police officer through and through who got himself into more than his fair share of ‘hairy’ situations.

“We are in contact with Bruce’s family and are providing all the support we can as they come to terms with this tragic loss.Bruce was loved by many and this news will come as a shock, especially to those who worked closely with him.”