Memorial service set for retired police dog

NORTH LIMA -- A memorial service open to the public is set for noon Saturday in the auditorium of South Range High School, 11836 South Ave., for Beaver Township's first police dog.
Barkley, who served the department from September 1998 to January 2004, died last week. He was 8.
Barkley was born in Holland, and brought to the United States by trainer Brian Woods of Lynwood's Kennels in Fremont, Ohio.
Barkley and his handler, Patrol Officer Daniel J. Lewis, began their training in September 1998, and Barkley was sworn in by township trustees later that same month.
Barkley was bought with money raised by the community, which totaled about $19,000. During his career, Barkley made several narcotics and money seizures, as well as locating missing people. Barkley was a very friendly dog, as the photos of children hanging on him during canine demos show, but Barkley's presence also served to keep criminals in check, according to Chief Carl N. Frost.
After his retirement, Barkley continued to live with Lewis and his family as a pet.