WASHINGTON – The Prince George’s County Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its former K-9 contributors that served on the force for more than nine years.
Prince George’s County police said Wednesday that retired K-9 “Ari” has died. Ari served alongside Sgt. Robert Heverly and was a bomb detection dog from October 2002 until December 2011.
“Ari was an incredible dog, he loved people and loved sniffing out explosives,” Heverly said in a news release.
The 13-year-old Belgian Malinois conducted bomb sweeps at the Redskins’ FedEx Field and assisted with many presidential and foreign dignitary movements and events, according to the Prince George’s County police. Ari was a member of the county’s bomb squad and helped with several bomb threats as well as responses to suspicious vehicles and packages, police added.
Ari is the third retired K-9 from the county’s department to die this summer and the second that worked with Heverly. In August, Heverly’s K-9 partner Andy died. Another K-9 Maggie, who worked with Maj. Edward Davey, died in August.
Police described Ari as a “cherished member of the PGPD.”
Police say Heverly and Ari trained together every week to maintain certifications through the Prince George’s County Police Department, the K-9 Academy Training Facility, the United States Police Canine Association and the North American Police Work Dog Association.
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