His arraignment is set for Oct. 29 at Medina Municipal Court.
***
Originally published Oct. 8
Sgt. Brett Harrison of the Montville Police Department issued a public apology this week, referring back to a Sept. 28 incident when his K9 partner, Beny, died in his cruiser.
When Harrison arrived back at the station that day, he turned the car off and left the windows up — going against protocol to leave the car on and run the A/C. Police Chief Terry Grice told the Medina Gazette that Harrison usually follows such protocol. The high temperature that day was 77 degrees.
According to video surveillance, Grice said, Harrison panicked upon returning to his car four hours later and realizing what had happened. Beny died of heat stroke, according to EMS crews.
Investigations are under way, and Harrison has been docked two weeks of pay and a week of vacation. He apologized and explained his devastation. Beny lived with Harrison and his family.
Dear Township Trustees,Montville Police Department’s Facebook page has become a gathering place for people far and wide to call for harsher punishments for Harrison and to memorialize Beny.I want to start by expressing my deepest apology to Montville Township, the Trustees, the citizens, the police department, my fellow officers and to my partner, Beny. I’m sorry to bringing this upon everyone.
I apologize to the trustees and police department for putting you all in this horrible position. I know that it is an unenviable position to have to deal with a situation as sad as this. I’m also sorry for the sadness and grief that youwere put into.
Most of all, I want to say I’m sorry to my partner, friend and loving family member Beny. I wish everyday that I could go back and change that day or that I could put myself in your place. You will always be in my heart and I will miss you every second of every day.
I want you all to know that I will never forget anyof this. Once again, I am sorry.
Sincerely,
Brett Harrison
***
…It’s only semi-related, but stories like this always make me think of Gene Weingarten’s Pulitzer Prize-winning article on the horrifying mistake of forgetting children in hot cars. It’s a terrifying story, but a brilliant piece of journalism.
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2014.
Sorry, you may feel bad, but you are a fucking asshole. Not only did you kill a dog, you killed a member of the police force. NO EXCUSES! NEVER LEAVE ANY DOG/CAT/ANIMAL/HUMAN in a car with the windows rolled up and no air conditioning. That poor thing suffered for hours before he died. WHERE DID YOU THINK HE WAS!!!! In an airconditioned house NO YOU LEFT HIM IN THE CAR TO DIE
Dude, it was an accident. I’m sure he feels horrible about it. I take it you’ve never read the Weingarten piece referenced above, but please do so. It is heartwrenching. Living with the guilt is oftentimes punishment enough.
Sorry, there is NO EXCUSE to leave an animal or a human in a car with no air conditioning.. I’m positive this will change his entire life, yes he made a BIG MISTAKE because he DID NOT follow protocol not just 15-20 minutes. IT WAS HOURS!! What are you SO involved in that you can forget who’s in the car waiting for you……….NOPE sorry NO way HE can’t remember HIS PARTNER is still in the car NOOOO. as you can probably tell, I like animals way more than most people. But I just don’t see how you can FORGET your partner???? your child???? nope
You leave your canine partner in a hot vehicle for 4 hours knowing he can’t just open the door let a window? Fuck you….YOU ARE NOT AN ANIMAL person and probably a shitty cop….
Dear Officer Harrison:
I know for a fact that the anguish you will live with for the rest of your life will be punishment enough for this horrible action. And, when I say action, I do not mean it was deliberate because of course it was not. Some may say how can you call this an “accident”? In part, the definition is “an unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of intention….” I am a die hard animal lover, so please, no one mistake that fact. I hope people practice forgiveness and remember you need to walk in someone else’s shoes before you judge. You have my sincere condolences on the loss of your partner.
Sorry but this is unbelievable. If the average joe killed their dog this way animal cruelty charges would be brought on them even though they felt bad about it. On top of this he killed a police officer. Again if an average joe killed this K9 they would be charged accordingly. This is inexcusable as is the punishment. Everybody including law enforcement should be held accountable
Yes accidents happen, but there are consequences for actions, even regarding accidents. This dog was an officer, and had the ability to save lives through his actions. Unfortunately, he never got that opportunity as his life and training were pissed away by carelessness. I’m sorry, but there is never an opportunity where “you feel bad enough, I think you learned your lesson” is enough of a punishment. He can punish himself however he wants, society will figure out how we want to punish him.