Pennsylvania: PA: Rostraver Police mourn loss of Hero Rostraver Police mourn loss of Hero
By Jeff Pikulsky
VALLEY INDEPENDENT
Friday, August 17, 2007

The Rostraver Township Police Department has lost a valued member and a long-time friend.

Police Chief Greg Resetar said the outfit's K-9 police dog, Hero, died July 19 from cancer.

The loss has left a void at the station, the chief said.

"He was working up until the day that he died, basically," Resetar said of the 12-year old German shepherd. "It was very sad. It's definitely a loss for the department. Just his presence was a deterrent at different functions with crowd control and things of that nature. His presence was well known."

Hero had been with the department for 10 years, the longest serving canine in the outfit's history, Resetar said.

The canine cop and his handler, Sgt. Kerry August, conducted drug awareness and crime prevention programs at local schools and held many public demonstrations.

Resetar said Hero was embraced by the public.

"Sometimes, it's made out to be this vicious animal that's very aggressive," Resetar said of police dogs in general. "The fact of the matter is that he was very docile. He was just great with the kids, but when it was time to work, based on Kerry's commands, he knew it was time to go to work."

Resetar said he witnessed Hero's impact first-hand when he went with the dog and August to aid in the recovery effort after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack in New York City.

Resetar, August and Hero searched for human remains at a Staten Island landfill where debris from the World Trade Center was taken for inspection 15 miles away from the disaster site.

Resetar said the team spent a few days working the 3,000-acre area.

"We found numerous items, one of which was a femur bone," Resetar said.

The chief said he was impressed with Hero's performance, especially because the dog was trained for the special duty only a week before the trip.

"Personally, that was the time that stands out for me," Resetar said. "It was unbelievable."

Resetar said Hero regularly showed up at the police station with August, even toward the end.

"He had a tumor removed from his side two or three weeks prior to his death. They felt that they had all the cancer, and then he developed another tumor," Resetar said.

"I can only remember a few times he wasn't at work with Kerry due to illness, but it was very rare."

August said his connection with the dog was much more than just a work relationship.

K-9 police dogs live with their handlers.

"Hero was my best friend and partner, along with being another member of my family," August said. "Hero loved going to schools in the area and would always make new friends. Over the years, we took part in K-9 demonstrations in front of over 10,000 people, and everywhere that we went, Hero made new friends.

"What I will miss most is looking into my rearview mirror and not seeing those two big ears pointing up."

Resetar said the police department has no immediate plans to replace Hero.

Jeff Pikulsky can be reached at jpikulsky@tribweb.com.

Source: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/vall.../s_522718.html

Rest in Peace, Hero