Father Doug Brown, pastor of Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Cleveland?s Old Brooklyn neighborhood, invited Cleveland police officers to the parish school this week to help celebrate the retirement of one of their own, a police dog named Benny.
Prior to the end of the school day on Jan. 23, more than 200 students gathered in the school gymnasium to surprise Officer Paul Fronckowiak and his retiring canine partner.
Benny worked for more than eight years as a Cleveland patrol officer and as an explosive-detecting dog with Fronckowiak. During his career, the 10-year-old canine officer regularly worked to help secure large venues like baseball games at Progressive Field, the 2016 Republican National Convention and other events that drew large crowds.
Students at Mary Queen of Peace enjoyed the opportunity to present retirement cards to Benny and an assortment of other treats. The Cleveland Police Department has a relationship with Mary Queen of Peace Parish through their ?Cops Adopt a School? program.
Benny?s days as a police dog may be over, but he?ll remain with his law enforcement partner Fronckowiak as the family pet.
