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Culver City News
December 31, 2009 By Scott Tittrington CC PD makes season bright for local family The Kumar family will never forget their beloved Tommy and the memories he helped create. However, thanks to some big hearts in the Culver City Police Department, the loss of a beloved family pet can now shift from tragedy to hope this holiday season. Earlier this month, the Kumar's had to say goodbye to Tommy, their Doberman Pinscher, after he was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident in the 4100 block of Madison Avenue. CCPD officers who responded to the scene were so touched by the story that, with the help of their colleagues, they banded together to buy the family an 8-week-old Doberman puppy as a surprise Christmas gift. Following a tour of the CCPD station Wednesday, Dec. 23 the officers presented the chocolate-brown puppy - complete with a big red bow and all of the puppy essentials - to the family, eliciting a hearty helping of thank yous, handshakes and even a few tears. "We were just tragic when Tommy passed away," said Raman Kumar, 15, one of the four children who joined their father, Parshotam, at the gift exchange. He added that Tommy's death had left a noticeable void. "Someone's not here. You (used to) get that warm presence when you come home from school. And now we have one." The idea to give the family a puppy was first broached by Officer Lance Ordin during a department function the evening of Dec. 21. Less than 12 hours later, the plan was put into action. Sgt. Mike Webb - one of the responding officers the night of the accident - contacted Medina's Dobermans in the San Fernando Valley, and the puppy was on its way. "Most of the time we deal with tragedy and misfortune," Webb said. "This is one of the rare opportunities where we could turn it around a little bit. We saw the opportunity and took it. "They (the breeders) were more than happy when they heard the story to deliver it from the other end of the San Fernando Valley in rush hour traffic." Likewise, it was a no-brainer when the family was asked what they planned to name their new addition: Tommy, of course. "It's just to honor (him)," said Raman Kumar about their fallen friend. "It's just in memory of him." |