Sheriff's Department K-9 officer retires after seven years

Thursday, January 17, 2013
Back at the station following a 2008 marijuana bust, Deputy Josh Boller and K-9 partner Sivo display the illegal goods behind Boller's police cruiser. The German Shepherd recently retired from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department following seven years of service.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department recently retired a veteran of 49 years -- dog years, that is.

After seven (human) years on the force, the last six as Deputy Josh Boller's partner, K-9 officer Sivo is hanging up his harness.

At eight years old, Sivo is growing long in the tooth for a German Shepherd, a breed whose life expectancy does not usually exceed 10 years.

Additionally, Boller said his partner is starting to get pain in his hips, a condition starting to affect his job.

In his time with the department, Sivo, who also spent a year partnered with Deputy Virgil Lanning, has been a versatile officer, performing tracking, narcotics and bite work.

It's a different life for Sivo now, who will spend his days as a family dog.

Additionally, Boller has no plans to have another K-9 partner, citing the danger to the animals and his own attachment to them.

"I'm done," Boller said. "I get too attached to animals and I don't want to get into the emotions of putting a dog down all the time."

The Sheriff's Department will not remain shorthanded, however, as an anonymous donation of $12,000 has helped the department purchase and train a new dog to partner with Deputy Philip Troyer.

The new K-9 officer, another German Shepherd, is already in Troyer's possession, with training soon to come.

Once active, Troyer will join Lt. Dwight Simmons and Sgt. Craig Sibbitt as deputies with K-9 units.

Community corrections officer and reserve deputy Nate O'Hair also has a K-9 partner and assists both county and city police when a dog is needed.

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  • Does Sivo receive retirement pay and benefits????

    -- Posted by Taxpayer5253 on Thu, Jan 17, 2013, at 7:15 AM
  • Nice story. I know he will have a loving family to take care of him now. He's done his job taking care of the community. Thanks Officer Boller, I know you treated him very well and it is hard to put animals down once that attachement is there.

    -- Posted by putcocvb on Thu, Jan 17, 2013, at 8:00 AM
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