Scott Kettren will continue riding around Murrysville as a police sergeant, but he may find himself glancing over his right shoulder for at least a few weeks, expecting a furry friend to be there.
Kettren’s partner, Murrysville police K9 Argos, retired this month and will spend his days at Kettren’s home.
Raised at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, the Belgian malinois was a member of the department for almost a decade, having started in September 2009.
“Having Argos by my side has given us the chance to really interact with the community,” Kettren wrote in a Facebook post on Argos’ final day. “Day in and day out, Argos has been by my side from the calm days to the chaotic days.”
Kettren said people in the community don’t always recognize him, but they know Argos.
“Every demonstration, talk or presentation was a fantastic opportunity to meet our citizens,” he wrote.
Chief Tom Seefeld had nothing but praise for both Kettren and Argos.
“I’m proud of you, and proud of what both of you have done,” he said Friday at a short ceremony held at the department.
Kettren said the past decade has been “truly a great experience for me.”
“We’ve trained with some outstanding trainers, tremendous officers, wonderful dogs and made some lifelong friends,” he wrote.
It was evident, however, in the short video Murrysville police shot showing Argos’ final radio sign-off, that Kettren’s emotions were running high.
“You’ve been my closest friend and best partner,” he wrote. “I’m going to miss that paw reaching up front to pull my arm back to you for some scratches. I’m going to miss that head resting on my shoulder and that long sigh you gave.”
Argos retired the same day that new officer Anthony Talamo was sworn in. See the Murrysville police Facebook page for video of Argos’ final sign-off.
