COVINGTON, Ky — The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund awarded the Covington Police Department a grant to replace a K9 that passed away. The funds will be used to train K9 Duke, who replaces K9 Ernie who retired last fall and subsequently passed away in January, FOX 19 reported.
K9 Ernie began his law enforcement work in 2012. The police service dog was shot twice after a man wanted for attempted murder exchanged gunfire with officers in 2015. Fortunately, K9 Ernie recovered and was able to return to work.
Shortly after retirement, K9 Ernie was diagnosed with cancer and was laid to rest Jan. 29, 2021.
Chief Robert Nader said this week the agency was notified of their selection to be awarded $10,000 from the Roethlisberger Foundation for a new police K9.
The funding will help pay for K9 Duke’s training, kenneling, food, veterinarian visits, and also help the Covington Police Department’s other two K9 partners, Holly and Zino, for 2021, according to the news outlet.
“I would like to thank Big Ben for his continued support of the four-legged police officers across our nation and for the support of the Covington Police Department K9 Unit in its 52nd year of service,” Nader said.
Roethlisberger’s foundation has distributed more than $2.3 million since 2007.
