Travonte Tate received a tough eight-year sentence for his violent actions against Rock Hill PD’s K-9 Officer Apollo—five years for the stabbing plus three more consecutive years for resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, after pleading guilty. Thankfully, Apollo made a full recovery, highlighting these dogs’ vital role in public safety.
Incident Background
The stabbing stemmed from an August 2025 domestic incident where Tate, 35, allegedly tried to stab a woman he knew, prompting police response on Martin Avenue. As officers pursued the fleeing Tate, K-9 Apollo took him down but got stabbed multiple times in the process—officers quickly disarmed Tate and rushed Apollo to a vet clinic. Tate originally faced heavier charges like attempted murder on the K-9, but resolved with guilty pleas to the two counts.
This case underscores York County’s ongoing public safety challenges, from K-9 heroes to resident concerns over growth impacts like data centers. Glad justice was served here—what’s your take on protecting working animals like Apollo?
