BOARDMAN No charges in K-9 death

BOARDMAN -- Township police will not press charges against the 17-year-old driver who struck and killed a township police dog Friday evening in the driveway of Glenwood Middle School.
Traffic officer Glenn Patton determined that Brian P. Thompson, of Stadium Drive, was not at fault. The officer found that Thompson's visibility may have been hampered by ice on the windshield of the car he was driving, but that did not contribute to the accident.
Rookie, the police dog, ran in front of the car from out of a dark area. He was not on a leash at the time. Thompson's speed was estimated at 20 mph.
Officer Jack Neapolitan, Rookie's handler, will remain on leave for a few more days. The department has two other K-9 units. There is no word on whether officials plan to replace Rookie.
A memorial service is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Boardman Police Department. The ceremony will be preceded by a procession of police cars from Boardman Park, south on Southern Boulevard and west on Washington Boulevard to the police station.