KNIGHTDALE, N.C. — The fatal shooting of a Wake County Sheriff’s Office dog by a Knightdale police officer last month has been determined to be an accident.

The Knightdale Police Department began an investigation after Santos, a German shepherd who had served the sheriff’s office since 2016, was shot as officers moved in to take custody of a suspect about 12:30 a.m. on May 26.

Santos and his deputy handler had joined a search for two men who fled their vehicle after being stopped by Knightdale officers on North Smithfield Road near the Carrington Woods subdivision.

Authorities in both agencies at the time said the shooting was unintentional, but the officer was placed on administrative leave during the investigation, as is standard practice. The officer has not been identified.

Police Chief Lawrence Capps said in a statement Friday that a comprehensive investigation had found the shooting an “unfortunate accident.”

The sheriff’s office and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office were involved in the investigation and agreed with the findings, the chief stated.

Santos was the sheriff's office's longest-serving K-9.