Killed Westerville Officer's K9 To Live With Family

WESTERVILLE, OH — A slain Westerville police officer's K9 partner will retire from active duty and go to live with the officer's family. Officer Eric Joering’s K9 partner, Sam, will leave police work and go live with Joering's family, partly for the "immeasurable" therapeutic value the dog will provide.

Joering, 39, and another officer, Anthony Morelli, 54, were killed Saturday when they responded to a 911 call hang-up and were met with gunfire. The suspect in the shooting was wounded and taken to a local hospital.

Sam, the K9, was in Joering's cruiser at the time of the incident. He briefly went to live with his original trainer following the shooting. He was monitored for signs of stress. While the dog appeared to be frightened and "shaken up" there are now early indications that the dog will be OK, ABC 6 reports.

Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said this week that the dog has been to visit Joering's family, composed of his wife and three young daughters. The visits have helped both the K9 and the family, which led to the decision to retire Sam from active duty and have him move-in with the family.

"You've got three little girls that are hurting real bad," Morbitzer said during a press conference that Fox 8 covered. He added that the K9 could provide "immeasurable" therapeutic value for the family.

The Westerville City Council will need to pass a resolution allowing Sam to leave police service and join the family. The council is expected to do so at its next meeting and the family is expected to say yes and welcome the K9 into their home.

A memorial will be built in honor of Joering and Morelli. The structure will be located in First Responders Park, ABC 6 said.

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