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Officer Clarence: Joe Biden KISSES America's beloved police comfort dog at slain Capitol cop Billy Evans' service

'He (Joe Biden) came to Clarence, caressed both of his cheeks and forehead, and then kissed him on the snout'

Officer Clarence, a valued member of the K9 First Responders team and the Greenfield Police Department in Massachusetts, headed to Capitol Hill this week with his counterparts. His team was there to provide mental health support to police officials attending the services for slain Capitol police officer William 'Billy' Evans. However, Officer Clarence was the one lucky enough to get some petting and a kiss from President Joe Biden. 

Officer Clarence is a 9-year-old Saint Bernard who works as a comfort dog with the Greenfield PD. He is, in fact, the country's first-ever police comfort dog. William Gordon, the Deputy Police Chief of Greenfield PD was invited to the Capitol this week with Officer Clarence and other comfort dogs, where the canine team provided mental health support and comfort to the officials. Amid all of this, Officer Clarence managed to meet the president and received a kiss on the snout from him, according to Recorder. 

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Why was Officer Clarence in the capital?

Capitol police officer William 'Billy' Evans was a veteran of 18 years who was killed on April 2. After 25-year-old suspect Noah Green slammed his car into the north barricade of the Capitol complex, he hit Evans and another officer before crashing the vehicle. Green was shot by another officer at the spot and died later. The service for Evans was held at the Capitol this week, which is why the K9 Responders aka the comfort dogs were invited for supporting the police officers traumatized and saddened by the tragic death of their colleague. 

"We travel the country, wherever we’re asked to go. This time we were asked to help out during services at the Capitol building,” said Gordon. His team of comfort dogs has helped out during tragic events like the 2013 marathon bombing in Boston, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, and the Las Vegas mass shooting. The comfort dogs have also supported local residents after fires, accidents, or other tragic incidents. 

Gordon added that at the Capitol, "Clarence was able to comfort members of Congress, the officer’s wife and two kids, and our president.” He added, “They were happy to see Clarence. When the president followed, he came to Clarence, caressed both of his cheeks and forehead, and then kissed him on the snout. He thanked me and shook my hand and walked off.”

Biden is known to be an avid dog-lover as he himself has two pet dogs - Major and Champ - both of whom are German Shepherds. 

'He’s a sweetheart and a local celebrity'

Officer Clarence soon became a celebrity on social media after the news surfaced about him receiving a kiss from the president. 

"Fun facts about Officer Clarence, the Capitol comfort dog, via his handler:
- The nation’s first police comfort dog
- He’s been on the Jim Gaffigan show and played a Ford F-150 in a commercial
- He responded to Sandy Hook, Boston Bombing & Las Vegas
- Biden kissed his shoulder," reported Andrew Solender. 

"Officer Clarence works for the police department in the town where I work — he’s a sweetheart and a local celebrity," a Twitter user mentioned. Huffpost journalist Igor Bobic tweeted, "Happening now under the dome: Officer Clarence accepting pets from reporters and lawmakers alike." He added, "Officer Clarence specializes in helping first responders after crises. He weighs 160 pounds, eats 4 bowls a day, sleeps 20 hours a day, and is “allergic to exercise.” Loves pets."

"This is Officer Clarence. He’s an official Police Comfort Dog with the @GreenfieldPD and tends to officers who have gone through a trauma. He is a gigantic sweetheart and will be at the Capitol all week. He also drools," tweeted another reporter. 

Many dogs have been known for their service before Officer Clarence. Scottsdale Police (AZ) started the first full-time police crisis response canine program in 2008 with Crisis Response Canine “Fozzie”. Way before that, crisis response dogs helped first responders during 9-11.