6-Month-Old Husky Whose Previous Owner Allegedly Shot CHP Officer, Adopted By Policeman

JURUPA VALLEY (CBSLA.com)   —  Chip, the six-month-old husky whose previous owner allegedly shot a CHP officer before leading law enforcement on a pursuit, was adopted Wednesday by an LAPD officer.

Authorities said Chip went home with veteran officer Mike Ventura of Covina after the two spent a few minutes getting acquainted at the Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter.

Riverside County Department of Animal Services spokesman John Welsh said Ventura was one of 75 people who took part in an essay contest to win Chip.

The essay has to explain why the contestant would provide the best home for the young pup.

"Mr. Ventura's heartfelt words resonated with a team of employees here at the main shelter who helped select the adopter," Welsh said.

Chip was turned over to the care of animal services personnel last month, after the canine's then owner, 30-year-old John Alfred Garcia, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer on Sept. 11 following a chase.

The CHP said they pulled Garcia over for erratic driving. When Officer Felix Serpas approached the vehicle, Garcia allegedly exited
with a combat-style 12-gauge shotgun, prompting an exchange of gunfire. Both Garcia and Serpas were wounded.

The patrolman was hit in the hand, while Garcia suffered a non-life- threatening wound to the upper body, authorities said.

Garcia jumped back into his vehicle and then allegedly led police on a pursuit that ended about an hour later, 30 miles away near
Arrow Boulevard and Citrus Avenue in Fontana. Garcia evetually surrendered. He's being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Twin Towers Jail in Los Angeles.

Serpas is recovering and expected to return to duty.