By the end of the year, Heidelberg's police department will welcome a new officer to its ranks.

He'll be responsible for patrolling the borough and keeping residents safe, but there'll be one major difference: He'll walk on all fours.

An $8,000 grant received from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation -- numeral "7" on your Pittsburgh Steelers scorecard -- will enable Heidelberg to create its first K-9 unit.

Roethlisberger announced the donation, which is part of $100,000 in grants given to Pittsburgh and surrounding municipalities, at a press conference last Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy in Lincoln-Lemington.

Other communities receiving grants include Brentwood, Fox Chapel, Monessen, Clairton and Munhall.

Heidelberg Police Chief Vernon Barkley said the borough is planning to procure a German shepherd by June and training will start in September. The dog will be ready to begin serving in the first week of December.

"It will be like having a fifth officer," he said.

The animal will be selected from local kennels that specialize in police dogs. The City of Pittsburgh K-9 Police Training Academy and Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper have offered help in running preliminary tests on the animal's abilities to ensure that Heidelberg makes the best selection.

Barkley said he is working to defray future costs beyond the initial $8,000 grant. The police department has received a $5,000 donation from a private business, and a $4,100 grant for two police cameras will be diverted to the K-9 unit.

Officer Dennis Dixon, who was hired as the borough's fourth officer in March, will act as the German shepherd's trainer and handler.

"He's going to be learning the same time as the dog," said Barkley.

The new K-9 "officer" will work off-shifts and be a "dual purpose" dog, trained in searching both for drugs and for people.

Barkley said even in a small area such as Heidelberg, there is always the potential for crime, especially with some new developments soon coming to fruition.

He believes the new K-9 unit will help curb any potential criminal incidents at the new borough park,which will be located at the end of Industry Way near the intersection with Jackson Street.

"The dog's going to be an overall asset to the community," Barkley said.