RIP SCPD K9 Officer Argo

The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) sadly announced the passing of K9 Argo in December.

Argo was the first police dog ever purchased by the Sean M. Walsh Foundation for the SCPD.

In its news release, SCPD wrote: “Argo was a phenomenal K9 and even better partner to Officer T. Gratny. Argo served the City of Santa Clara for six years as a Patrol and Narcotics Detection K9. Over this time, he had 13 apprehensions, hundreds of narcotics seizures and over half a million dollars in seizure money related to narcotics prior to his retirement in 2017.”

Argo spent his retirement with Officer T. Gratny and family, where he was loved beyond measure. He was 12 years old.

The Sean M. Walsh Foundation was formed by Cheryl Walsh after her son died in combat in Afghanistan on Nov. 16, 2011. Cheryl Walsh founded the nonprofit to help honor her son’s dream of becoming a K9 handler. She personally wrote the foundation’s first grant to SCPD, which led to the purchase of Argo.

“We are forever grateful to Cheryl Walsh for her generosity and support of our agency,” read the SCPD news release. “Thank you for your service Argo, you will truly be missed.”

Over the years, Argo attended several luau fundraisers for the Sean M. Walsh Foundation including the inaugural event in 2015. Earlier this year, Sean’s K9s celebrated its 10th anniversary. In the past 10 years, the nonprofit has provided grants for 35 dogs with additional grants for equipment and training.