Williamsville (WBEN) -- Retaurateur Russell Salvatore on Wednesday presented the Erie County Sheriff's Department a new horse after another horse had died in an accident earlier this summer.

Salvatore made the presentation in the memorial garden near Russell's Steaks Chops and More at 6675 Transit Rd. in Williamsville.

Salvatore offered to buy a new horse for the Sheriff's Department Mounted Division after hearing about the recent death of Reserve Captain Joe Metzger's horse, Joe.

Nearly six weeks ago, Metzger was returning from a late night Buffalo detail when a mechanical problem caused his horse trailer to sway on Route 219 in the town of West Seneca.  The trailer had become unhitched and flipped over, killing Metzger's quarter horse instantaneously.

The horse had worked with the Mounted Unit for the past decade, the department said.

The newest addition is a six-year-old part quarter horse and part Tennessee walking horse.  Its name is Russel J., or R.J., in honor of Russell Salvatore. 

Sheriff Tim Howard says R.J. is currently in training for the department.