Seaside Heights Cop Rips 'Animal-Loving Freaks' Angry Over Dog's Death In Icy Toms River

by Patricia A. Miller

A longtime Seaside Heights police officer is the subject of an internal investigation over comments he posted on his Facebook page about Rolo, the dog that died after his owner’s truck fell through the ice and slipped into the frigid waters of the Toms River over the weekend.

Detective Steven Korman - the department’s public relations spokesman - confirmed today that department’s internal affairs division is investigating Sgt. Thomas Yannacone’s comments about the dog.

“The officer is the subject of an internal affairs, administrative investigation,” Korman said.

Police Chief Thomas J. Boyd is aware of the comments, he said.

“Why didn’t he do the Doggie Paddle?” the first post read. ”Was his favorite movie Dog Day Afternoon? And was he listening to Van Halen’s Diver Down just before going through the ice? These are the questions I want answered!!!

The second post is even more blunt.

“Truck plunging through the ice with a dog inside brings new meaning to FROZEN WIENER DOG or DIRTY WATER DOG...what, too soon...calm down you animal loving freaks...just be glad it wasn’t a cat because that would have been one WET PU....!!!!!!”

Rolo died after his owner Thomas Mayer, 27, Toms River, took his truck out on the frozen Toms River from the Island Heights side, drove around the ice doing ”donuts” then managed to free himself when the ice cracked and left the scene, New Jersey State Police have said.

The truck was located in six feet of water on the Pine Beach side of the river, after an extensive search by multiple agencies that last through the night and into Sunday, state police have said.

Mayer’s relatives have defended Mayer, but their accounts of what happened early Sunday morning conflict with State Police reports.

Related stories:

• Cousin: Toms River Pickup Truck Driver Who Fell Through Ice Tried To Rescue Dog
• Poll: Should Toms River Truck Driver Who Fell Through Ice, Killing Dog, Be Criminally Charged?
• UPDATE: Two Men Identified After Pickup Truck Falls Through Toms River Ice; Dog Dies
• Cops: Man Won’t Be Charged In Pickup Truck Sinking In Toms River, Killing Dog