Vernon Police Honor and Say Goodbye to K-9 Thor
(VERNON, Connecticut) – Vernon Police K-9 Thor, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix who served with Officer Bryan Sembersky for seven years, was remembered and honored during a private ceremony Monday at Vernon Police Headquarters.
Officers, police department personnel, town leaders and staff joined by K-9 handlers from other police departments, snapped to attention as Sembersky approached police headquarters carrying a small wooden box containing Thor’s remains. A moment earlier the K-9 handlers escorted Sembersky to police headquarters.
Officer Bryan Sembersky, carries the remains of his police dog Thor, as he walks toward the Vernon Police Station. His wife Lauren is just behind him.
Thor died October 16 after becoming ill with an autoimmune disorder and pneumonia. Sembersky was at his side when Thor passed.
Police Chief John Kelley, himself a former K-9 handler, said police officers and police dogs build an extremely close bond.
“When you’re with a K-9 partner you’re with that dog 24/7, you’re with that dog more than your spouse, your partner,” Kelley said. “And the loss is extremely painful.”
Vernon Police Chief John Kelley speaks at Monday’s memorial as Officer Bryan Sembersky and his wife Lauren look on.
Sembersky was joined by his wife Lauren, who spoke about the role Thor played in their family. She recalled a scene from Disney’s “101 Dalmatians” where the dogs and their owners have similar looks and personalities.
Thor and her husband, she said, were alike, “both with hard exteriors, head strong and unyielding. But once you crack the exterior you find the utmost devotion to work, to play, to one another. Their bond was special – always testing one another, pushing one another.”
Officer Jeff Condon, who is partnered with K-9 Tengo, recounted some of the highlights of Thor’s time as a police K-9, including several instances where he and Sembersky found drugs, an important piece of evidence, or tracked down a suspect.
“While we grieve the loss of K-9 Thor, we are also losing an incredible K-9 handler,” Condon said. “Bryan’s work ethic and dedication as a K-9 handler will be hard to replace.”
A shadowbox created for Officer Sembersky to remember Thor.
The final tribute to Thor came via police radio as a dispatcher noted Thor’s end of watch.
Sembersky did not speak during the ceremony. He was comforted afterward by friends and colleagues.
With the loss of K-9 Thor, Vernon resident Lisa Moody is leading an effort to raise funds to purchase and train a new police dog for the Police Department. She led a previous effort several years ago.
“We know that police dogs add greatly to our police department’s ability to do its job, and to the safety of our community,” Moody said. “While we can never replace Thor, we can help our police department obtain and train a new dog. Vernon residents have a record of generosity and I hope they will consider donating.” Additional information regarding this fundraising effort will be shared in the coming days.