Git Ander, World Trade Center Hero

Killed In the line of duty.

After searching for survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center, Git Ander, a seven year old German Shepherd returned to duty as a police canine in Plainfield, New Jersey. Git Ander was a member of the Union County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit. According to an Associated Press report, on the night of September 26, 2001, Git Ander and his handler, Sergeant John Gillespie, arrived at the scene of a reported stolen car. The suspects fled on foot. Sergeant Gillespie pursued the eighteen year old driver while Git Ander was ordered to chase after and apprehend the other passenger who was a twelve year old girl. Git Ander apprehended the passenger. Following the procedure the dog was trained to, he held onto the suspect by holding onto her leg. The dog had been trained not to release his hold on the suspect until his handler arrived on the scene and commanded him to do so. Minutes before his handler showed up, two other police officers arrived on the scene. Despite the fact that Git Ander wore a police badge on his collar, Officers Ronald Fusco and Craig Montgomery fatally shot the dog eleven times. Sgt. Gillespie arrived just as his dog was dying. Officers Ronald Fusco and Craig Montgomery later alleged that they thought the dog was a stray. Sheriff Froehlich of the Union County Sheriff's Department explained that the dog had been trained not to separate from the suspect until a command from his handler was given. Even in the face of repeated gunfire, the dog faithfully followed his handler's commands. "Unfortunately, Git gave his life doing what he was supposed to," said Sheriff Froehlich. He added that, "He was our most popular dog because he was so easy to deal with. "The kids loved him because he was this big hairy thing they could throw their arms around and hug." The well known Union County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit has been highly commended and is well recognized. Git Ander and other canines from the unit arrived at the World Trade Center two hours after the attack on September 11, 2001. The heroism of Git Ander has gone unrecognized. Officers Ronald Fusco and Craig Montgomery looked at him as a stray and shot him to death while the dog was conducting official police duty. Git Ander, a heroic canine police officer was gunned down for following orders. He deserved respect from his fellow officers. Eleven shots within minutes is an uncalled-for for act of excessive, deadly force...even if the victim hadn't been a hero and was just a stray. The unharmed twelve year old suspect was later arrested. No charges had been filed against the two officers who shot Git Ander to death. Edward Santiago, Chief of Police of the Town of Plainfield, declined to comment on the two officers' actions.
Senator John Lynch - Assemblyman Jerry Green
Chief of Police, Town of Plainfield Mayor of Plainfield
Director of Public Safety, Plainfield