Silver Hill Fourth Grader Buys Toys for Police K-9 Who Protected Students During Haverhill Manhunt

Silver Hill student Olivia Feil saved up her allowance to buy toys and treats for State Police K-9 Tank, presenting them to Trooper Thomas Janeczak on Nov. 20. (Courtesy photograph)

Nine-year-old Olivia Feil saved up her allowance to buy toys and treats for State Police K-9 Tank, presenting them to Trooper Thomas Janeczak on Nov. 20. (Courtesy photograph)

Silver Hill Elementary School fourth grader Olivia Feil is paying it forward this holiday season. The nine-year-old visited with Massachusetts State Police K-9 Trooper Thomas Janeczak and his four-legged partner Tank just before Thanksgiving to bring a thank you gift for keeping city students safe in recent months.

Olivia’s mom Jodi Feil tells WHAV her daughter was inspired to save up her allowance in the wake of August’s widespread manhunt for an armed suspect that took over Haverhill and put local schools on lockdown. Janeczak and Tank were among the State Police team to locate and capture Boston’s Elias Sudler near Carlton Street.

“It was inspiring to watch her commitment over the last two months,” Jodi told WHAV. “She would ask for extra work to earn more money so she could reward Tank with a full box of treats and toys. She stuck with it and we’re very proud of her!”

The State Police group that hosted the Feil family at the Danvers barracks and accepted the gifts applaud Olivia’s gesture. “The department would like to thank Olivia and her family for their kindness and generosity. We—humans and dogs alike—are touched by their thoughtfulness,” troopers wrote on social media.

As WHAV previously reported, Haverhill and State Police teamed up during the four-hour search that led to Sudler’s capture. Furnishing a false name and social security number to police, Sulder was charged with the unlicensed possession of a firearm and ammunition and assault and battery on a police officer, among other offenses.