WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The K-9 partner of a fallen Westerville, Ohio, police officer was officially given to his family at the Westerville, Ohio city council meeting Tuesday.
Westerville City Council voted to give Eric Joering's family custody of the fallen officer's K-9 partner on Tuesday night. Chief Morbitzer turned over Sam’s badge to Joering’s daughters Eva and Elena. [Barbara J. Perenic/Dispatch] @AlissaWidman has the story @DispatchAlerts pic.twitter.com/Dvn2w83nb0
— Five Foot Photog 📸 (@FiveFootPhotog) February 21, 2018
After the vote, Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer gave Sam’s badge to Joering’s daughters Eva and Elena.
Westerville Police Officers Joering, 39 and Anthony Morelli, 54, were shot and killed while responding to a 911 hang-up on February 10. Jeoring was partnered with K-9 Sam. Sam was in Joering’s cruiser when the deadly shooting happened.
Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said the therapeutic value of having Sam stay with the family is "immeasurable." "You've got three little girls that are hurting real bad," the chief said.
Fallen Officer Eric Joering's K9 Sam to retire; will live with Joering's wife & 3 young daughtershttps://t.co/llIjoqAT0F #10TV pic.twitter.com/VOGwa6ibFq
— 10TV.com (@10TV) February 13, 2018
