Hero mom, Sheriff's deputy dies protecting her 8-year-old son from a pit bull attack

An Indianapolis deputy sheriff died Tuesday night while reportedly protecting her 8-year-old son from a pit bull that attacked them inside their home.

The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m., when the dog entered the house and attacked the minor. Tamieka White intervened to protect her son and ended up suffering serious injuries that ended her life, authorities cited by The Indianapolis Star reported. The child suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Police were alerted to a savage dog attack at White's home, located on the city's east side. When they arrived, the dog immediately attacked one of the officers, who ended up fatally shooting the animal.

“First of all, Officer White was a mother,” lamented Brittany Seligman, the deputy's commanding officer, during a news conference. "She died protecting the most important person in her life in a tragic animal attack at her home."

A spokesman for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said the dog was not White's property and that police have identified the owner, but they declined to release his/her identity.

Indianapolis Animal Care Services said in a statement that they seized the deceased dog, three additional dogs and a cat. The animals are being held as part of an ongoing investigation.

White had worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office since 2007 and had recently worked in their Judicial Enforcement Division, which oversees the transportation of inmates to and from court, collects back taxes, and delivers legal process documents.

"Deputy White was a shining light to all who knew her," Sheriff Kerry Forestal said in a statement. "We are immensely grateful for her nearly 17 years of service to our agency."