Police Officers, Fallen K-9 Honored

A police K-9 killed in the line of duty last year and two township police officers, including the fallen K-9's handler, were among those recognized at the 2011 Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund's awards dinner.

The fund's committee awarded its Purple Heart Award to K-9 "Schultz"—the beloved police K-9 killed while tracking a robbery suspect in late November—. "Schultz's" handler Cpl. Mark Pickard received the Meritorious Award and Cpl. Joseph Andricola won the Distinguished Service Award.

The Hero Scholarship Fund's 45th annual awards dinner was held at Lucien's Manor, in Berlin, on Feb. 25.

"Schultz" and Pickard were honored for their efforts in the well-publicized Nov. 30 pursuit of Chinese restaurant robbery suspects that resulted in the K-9's death.

"Schultz" was killed on Route 42 in Blackwood after one of the suspects allegedly tossed the K-9 into oncoming traffic.

Police noted that the efforts of "Schultz" and Pickard, as well as the response from law-enforcement officers from across the Delaware Valley after it was announced "Schultz" had been killed, led to the quick arrests of both Lucky Dragon robbery suspects.

Andricola was recognized along with New Jersey State Police Det. Sgt. Edward Fallon for their efforts to apprehend a dangerous suspect in July.

The incident ended when Andricola and Fallon, who was assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service, fired their duty weapons on the suspect, who was armed with a loaded .32-caliber revolver, and killed him, police said.

Police had tracked the suspect, who was wanted for attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault, among other charges, to an apartment on Cherrywood Drive on July 21. The suspect had reportedly told family members he was "not going back to jail."

Andricola and Fallon found the suspect hiding in the corner of a second-floor bedroom.