Retired Suffern Police Dog ‘Hero’ dies

K-9 cop cited with awards, was beloved by school kids 

BY BILL DEMAREST

SUFFERN – Suffern police tonight are mourning the loss of a local hero – “Hero,” a retired police dog that long served to help keep the village safe.

“It is with a sad heart that the Suffern Police Department reports that retired K-9 Hero, who served with our

department from 2003-2011 passed away today of natural causes,” said a message today from the department. Veteran Suffern Police Officer Lou Venturini was Hero’s handler. K-9 Hero received numerous medals and awards.

Hero “was a local hero to thousands of school children throughout the Suffern community as well as to the entire community where he was loved and adored,” according to the Suffern Police Department.

A memorial service for Hero is being planned. Venturini and K-9 Aran became Suffern’s first K-9 team in 1993. This team worked together for more than 10 years, including a detail at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

K-9 Aran passed away in 2004. In 2004, Venturini began working with K-9 Hero. Venturini today works with K-9 Patriot. Suffern Police Chief Clarke Osborne said Hero, who was bought with money raised by the Suffern Chamber of Commerce, was responsible for helping to seize $275,000 in drugs.

The police dogs used by Suffern have been credited for assisting with numerous arrests, including in drug and weapons incidents.

Republished with permission