By Police1 Staff
CENTERBURG, Ohio — A slain officer’s K-9 is continuing to help people despite being shaken up after his partner was killed in the line of duty.
WCMH-TV reports K-9 Sam was in the back of Officer Eric Joering’s police cruiser Saturday when he and Officer Anthony Morelli were killed while responding to a hang-up 911 call.
Mike Pennington, Sam’s original trainer, said the K-9 was scared and shaken up when he was taken from the shooting scene. Despite Sam’s pain, the K-9 is continuing to help people after trading in his badge for the title of therapy dog.
On Monday, thousands of people packed a firehouse to attend a vigil honoring Joering and the family he left behind. Sam will be a therapy dog to comfort Joering’s three daughters.
Sam is currently staying with his original partner, who said the K-9 is doing okay but still heartbroken. Joering’s family can ultimately choose to keep Sam.