PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla.- A K-9 officer was honored Wednesday with a Purple Heart for protecting his partner in the line of duty.

K-9 Casper, with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, took a bullet meant for his human partner during a gunfight in Jupiter, Florida. Due to where the bullet hit, it made Casper's recovery faster because the bullet missed the dog's bones.

Authorities were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on May 12 when the individual opened fire on officers, striking Casper.

The suspect who shot Casper died in a shootout with deputies.