Highland Park, Illinois — Heartbreak hangs heavy in Highland Park, Illinois, for the lives misplaced and dozens wounded in the Fourth of July parade capturing. However with the wag of a tail, tears are turning to smiles.
Doing that work is Vinny-Duke, a 3-year-old Walker hound remedy canine who joined the Highland Park Police Division in March.
"He holds us collectively when, you understand, within the instances we'd like it," officer Michael Lodesky mentioned. "Canines can actually take in disappointment and the terrible conditions that individuals are going via."
The necessity has by no means been better. Vinny-Duke, Lodesky and their companion, officer Darren Graff, had been main the parade when photographs rang out.
"That is our city. That is our group, we love these individuals," Lodesky mentioned. "And so, to see this type of factor occur to the city that we're sworn to guard, it is not one thing that sits nicely."
Each Lodesky and Graff mentioned Vinny-Duke made a distinction the day of the capturing, and since then, has introduced consolation to the group and the officers who've been working across the clock.
"A easy pet, hanging out for a minute, kiss on the face, no matter he does, it could actually actually simply form of shift your temper and shift your mindset," Graff mentioned.
As soon as a malnourished stray, Vinny-Duke was educated by prisoners in Florida. He's now serving to his perpetually dwelling discover some peace amid a lot ache.