By DJ McAneny For NJ.com

GLOUCESTER TWP. Braving a biting chill Thursday to pay proper respect, family, friends, co-workers and complete strangers gathered in Gloucester Township Community Park for a memorial dedication and service in honor of the township’s fallen K-9 unit Schultz, who gave his life in the line of duty last Tuesday.Ê

Ê “(We’re here) to pay our respects to the K-9 unit in Gloucester Township,” said Chief Pat Moran of the Galloway Township Police Department, who had several officers and K-9 units of their own present at the service. “To show unity within the police community itself, especially the K-9 unit. The K-9 unit here is a dedicated faction of the police department and everybody works together Ð everybody trains together. It hurts everybody. (I think this outpouring of support) speaks for itself.”

Moran was one of more than 1,000 civilians, hundreds of law enforcement and emergency responders from as far as Alexandria, Va., and upwards of 150 K-9 units in attendance at the service. The overwhelming number of emergency personal present spoke volumes about the connection officers have with each other, particularly in units who work with animal partners.

“Schultz is not the only hero before us right now,” said Chief Harry Earle of the Gloucester Township Police Department. “I am looking at hundreds of them. I see police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, community leaders, residents and neighbors. On the night that Schultz was killed, I witnessed the men and women of the Gloucester Township Police Department, other police agencies, firefighters and EMS personnel come together not only to bring together those responsible for Schultz’s death, but to support one another like I’ve never seen before.”

On Nov. 30, Schultz was released and ordered to apprehend a suspect he had tracked from the scene of a reported armed robbery for a half mile. According to authorities, during that apprehension, 20-year-old Skyler Robinson Ð a former standout running back from Washington Township Ð maneuvered the dog into oncoming traffic. A manhunt involving more than 100 emergency responders ensued that evening, and Robinson was placed under arrest inside of 31Ú2 hours.

During the service, a memorial sign dedicated to all past Gloucester Township K-9 units, covered with golden plates featuring the names, length of service and dates of death alongside empty plates reserved for future dedications, was unveiled.

“We’re out here because we understand the importance of a K-9 officer Ð not just to the police officer and squads but to the entire citizenry,” said state Sen. Fred Madden. “The loss of a K-9 officer is tragic and real. Officer Schultz is not forgotten. Were here to honor his sacrifice and the sacrifices of all officers while they’re on duty.”

Madden and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, who was also in attendance for the service, introduced this week new legislation dictating harsher penalties for those convicted of intentionally injuring or killing an emergency service animal.

“I think the message here is the community itself is extremely well-respected amongst its own profession,” Madden said. “They understand the sacrifice and details of putting a strong K-9 unit together. The contributions of such a unit truly means saving lives and protecting people across the board, including current law enforcement officers that serve.”

During the ceremony, retired Chief Thomas Conroy from Stafford Township shared fond memories of the trouble Schultz got into as a new unit living with Pickard, eating hot tub covers and wrecking dishwashers full of dishes, and how Pickard Ð who was initially unimpressed with Schultz as a police dog candidate Ð grew to become one of the more accomplished teams in the K-9 unit realm.

“On Nov. 4 at about 4 p.m., the scores came out from the National Police Dog Trials, and Officer Pickard learned they were in the top 10,” Conroy said. “On Nov. 30, it would cost the dog his life. Schultz wasn’t just a tool Ð he was a living, breathing creature with a personality.”

Schultz was given a full-service memorial, complete with the presence of the honor guard, a rifle salute, bagpipers and a fly-over by the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit. At the end of the ceremony, Cpl. Mark Pickard took Schultz’ ashes for one last ride in his cruiser, with black-veiled lights and a black garland wrapped around the vehicle.

Gloucester Township’s Earle made clear that, while the loss of Schultz was a tragic one, his life was given for the greatest of causes Ð the protection of other innocent lives.

“We are saddened by the loss of Schultz’s life,” he said. “But as police officers we know that the lives of others could’ve also been lost that night or another night if the perpetrators were left free to engage in further crime. It was because of Schultz and Mark that others did not lose their lives. I am so proud of Schultz and I am so proud of Mark Pickard.”