K-9 Hero Promoted to Detective and Retires, K-9 Patriot Joins the Department in Suffern

Suffern sure does know how to throw a retirement party.  Photos

Getting people to attend a Village Board meeting is difficult enough but a full house at a workshop?  Unheard of unless of course one of Suffern’s favorite law enforcers is being honored in which case its standing room only. 

Many members of the Suffern Police Department both on and off duty were on hand to honor one of their own.  Officers from Mahwah, Ramapo, Clarkstown, NYPD and other local jurisdictions joined Sheriff James Kralik and Chief Lou Falco to pay homage to the many contributions made by this member of the department and brother in blue over the years.

K-9 Hero, a favorite in Suffern was promoted to the rank of Detective last night after seven years on the force during which time he apprehended dozens of bad guys and found lost children & older people who wandered off so that they could safely be returned to their families.  He also assisted in the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash and narcotics.

As if that wasn’t enough, Hero was a fixture on the Suffern school, park and event circuit to the delight of hundreds of children and their parents. 

A scratch on the head here, a tug on the fur there, Hero patiently accommodated his fans while always remaining at the ready to go to work whenever and wherever he was called upon.

Not every Police Department has a celebrity K-9.  Hero was driven to appearances and to work each day by his driver, handler and best friend P.O. Lou Venturini in his own customized SUV complete with his name and profile emblazoned on the side windows.  K-9 Hero even has his own stylist, Detective Anne Cawley, who reportedly brushed his coat each day to ensure that Hero always looked good while making criminals look bad.

Hero was often called upon to assist other jurisdictions including the New York State Police; rising to the challenge each and every time.  On one occasion in particular he managed to sniff out thousands of dollars worth of currency hidden in an automobile tire.

Ramapo Times, in an exclusive interview with Hero asked what his plans are now that he’s retired.  We were told that K-9 Hero when left to his own devices, would spend his days happily chasing rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and assorted other critters at home, sleep in on weekends, get his belly rubbed and generally enjoy life as a retiree.

While Hero enjoys a well-deserved retirement, K-9 Patriot has reported for duty.

Born in the Czech Republic, K-9 Patriot is well suited to pick up and continue the proud Suffern K-9 tradition from predecessors K-9 Aron and K-9 Hero.

Patriot was evaluated by handler and trainer Mike O’Brien and came highly recommended as having the right stuff.  Through hundreds of hours of training and evaluation, K-9 Patriot met each and every challenge head on.

During a recent evaluation, three objects were hidden in a large, outdoor area.  Patriot was given a total of five minutes to find two of the three items.

Patriot found all three hidden items in just three minutes. 

Note to the bad guys: There is no transition period in Suffern; K-9 Patriot is on the job.