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Dog the Bounty Hunter 's son, who works as a police officer, will be taking a brief break from the force ... he's been put on administrative leave following his involvement in a fatal crash.

Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin tells TMZ ... he can confirm that a Priceville PD officer named Garry Chapman has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an investigation -- standard procedure for a situation like this. Priceville Police Department

The mayor could NOT confirm if this Garry Chapman is the same as the son of Dog -- real name Duane Chapman -- who shares the same moniker. But sources familiar with the situation confirm that Garry is Dog's son.

We're told the circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation, but that G

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