A tribute to our heroes
Published 5:16 pm Thursday, December 30, 2021
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Special cases
I wish to personally thank all my magnificent supporters who helped me through the Christmas and New Year season. I’ve had a few cases and I’m happy to report I didn’t lose a single animal. With your help we have brought joy to some grateful families. As I stated in “Yes there is a Santa Claus,” in them all beats the heart of Cola.
Over the years I made it very clear of my special love and admiration for service dogs of all stripes, I’ve assisted in trained dogs for Autistic children, the service animal projects for vets with PTSD and also contributing to military and police K9 organizations.
On October 20, 2021 Sergeant Conley Jumper and his partner Nicos were called on a crime case. Jumper was killed and Nicos received a bullet to the head and was in serious condition.
A few weeks ago I was invited to a memorial for Conley and Nicos at the Greenville K9 unit headquarters. My dear friend Steve Boehm, who was a fire Marshall in New York during 9-11 presented a beautiful plaque and a check from Project thank a cop, an organization begun by Steve’s daughter. Enough food for all three shifts was brought in, also thanks to Steve.
We sat and chatted and took photos as officers and their K9’s came in from their shifts. I met Sergeant Conley’s daughter who is attending Woford College and intends to enter law enforcement. I could never truly express the feelings of honor and privilege I felt inside, being among these wonderful men and women and magnificent K9’s.
Lennie’s Fund has sent $1,000 to the K9 fund in honor of Nicos, who by the way is recovering and is anxious to get back on duty. I hope to get to meet him when that day comes.
May God bless you all and I pray for another successful year helping this wonderful gift God has given us.
Thanks for listening.
By Leonard Rizzo