VINELAND - The city will hold a memorial service Oct. 21 for Clif, the Police Department K-9 dog killed Monday in the line of duty.
The service is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the Chestnut Assembly of God Church at 2554 E. Chestnut Ave.
The service, which will include remarks from city officials and representatives of several K-9 organizations, also will feature a video of Clif.
Officials said Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 266 has established a special K-9 fund. Contributions can be sent to PBA Local 266 K-9 Fund, P.O. Box 2272, Vineland, NJ, 08362.
Clif had just completed a search for a burglary suspect on Becker Drive, and he and his handler, Sgt. William Bonticue, were returning to the car at about 5:50 a.m. Monday when, police said, a car driven by a 75-year-old woman swerved around a uniformed officer and hit the dog.
The woman did not respond to the officer's flashlight signal and hit Clif as he and Bonticue were walking, police said.
Clif died at about 7 a.m. at a Linwood veterinary hospital, police said. Clif, a 5-year-old German shepherd from Europe, had worked for the city's Police Department since 2008.
Contact Thomas Barlas:
609-226-9197
