PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (AP) – A memorial service will be held for a police dog accidentally killed by friendly fire during a search for bank-robbery suspects in a Philadelphia suburb.

Plymouth Township police say the dog, a German shepherd named Andy, had been let loose to track a suspect Wednesday when an officer from another department joined the search.

Police say Andy saw the officer’s gun and bit him. The officer accidentally fired his weapon, and the bullet hit Andy and his handler, Officer Louis Layfield.

Layfield was protected by his bulletproof vest.

Three suspects were later arrested.

Police Chief Joseph Lawrence says the department is treating Andy’s death like that of an officer killed in the line of duty. The memorial service will be held Wednesday.