Employees of the District Attorney’s Office were part of the large crowd that gathered outside the Justice Center in Covington Friday (Oct. 23) to welcome home Thor, The St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office K-9 seriously injured during a burglary investigation Tuesday (Oct. 20) near Mandeville. Sheriff Jack Strain said deputies were moving in on a burglary suspect, hiding in a pile of debris, when the suspect lunged out with a knife. Thor leapt between the suspect and the deputy, potentially saving the officer’s life. Deputies shot and killed the suspect.
Thor underwent surgery for neck injuries and had been recuperating at a Mandeville hospital. On Friday, the crowd gave the K-9 rock star treatment as he was reunited with his handler, Deputy Ronald Oliveri. Speakers hailed Thor a hero, and Parish President Pat Brister read a proclamation, declaring it “Deputy Thor Day” in St. Tammany. Afterward, Thor fans moved in to pet him and snap photos. “Get well” cards made by local schoolchildren covered a nearby bulletin board.
