Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
BY BOB HOLT
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
It will be an extra special fourth birthday for Salem City Police K-9 Jordan. Jordan has come home to his patrolman partner from the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital after being shot last week in the line of duty.
Meanwhile, donations continue to pour to cover the medical bills for the police dog who will face surgery later this month to remove the bullet still lodged in him.
According to the Courier Post, Jordan was shot in the chest Wednesday as he, Salem City Ptl. Bill Robinson and other officers responded to the report of a domestic violence incident at 301 East Broadway in Salem City.
One of the many bullets fired by suspect Lavar Rodgers struck Jordan in the chest area and traveled through his body, lodging on the other side, between his ribs and his skin.
Robinson, the dog's handler, was also grazed by a bullet in the shoulder but was treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization.
Salem Police Sgt. Robert Hans says the dog was so stoic during the event that his handler didn't realize he'd been shot.
Rodgers was taken into custody after an 11-hour standoff during which he held hostages for a time. He is now in the county jail on $1 million bail.
Robinson said he's keeping Jordan from becoming too active as he continues to recover, mainly from injuries to his lungs, which were bruised when the bullet tore through his body.
Hans, president of the Salem County Police K-9 Association, which is collecting funds for Jordan, said Monday donations received so far will cover the initial $9,000 bill for Jordan's care.
Additional costs will be incurred for Jordan's surgery and post-care.
Hans said donations have been coming in from around the country, even as far away as Indiana and Florida. NJ.com reports he said one Salem County child even gave money from their piggy bank. The donation was wrapped in a plastic bag along with a drawing the child did of Jordan.
Along with money have come cards and letters wishing Jordan well.
According to NJ.com, Jordan was born Feb. 1, 2007. Robinson was partnered with him and in August 2007 the two went through eight to nine months of training together before hitting Salem's streets as a team.
NJ1015.com says anyone who would like to make a donation can send checks to the Salem County K-9 Association at 143 Lincoln Drive, Pennsville, NJ 08070. Checks can also be sent directly to The Bank at 125 Route 45, Salem, NJ 08079.
