Hundreds of people united in downtown Buffalo Thursday evening to keep the memory of fallen Buffalo Police Officer Craig Lehner alive.
Officer Lehner died last month during an underwater training exercise.
The Buffalo Police Department is hoping to honor Lehner through a new member of the force.
“This fundraiser goal was to raise enough money for a new K-9, which could cost eight to 12 thousand dollars,” said Buffalo Police Lieutenant Jeff Rinaldo.
The new K-9 will be named after Craig Lehner, who had an unbreakable bond with his K-9 Shield. The department believes it is the best way to honor the brave officer.
“K-9’s are a huge asset to any police department, narcotics, bomb detection. The resource of a K-9 is invaluable. You can’t put a price tag on it,” said Lt. Rinaldo.
The department says there are about ten officers who have volunteered to become K-9 officers.
To raise money, hundreds of baskets were donated to the event, held at Club Marcella.
Any leftover money will be spent to purchase additional resources for the BPD K-9 Unit.
