Respects Paid To Vernon Police Dog Thor In Emotional Ceremony

VERNON, CT — The Vernon Police Department Monday paid its final respects to Thor, a decorated police dog who left his mark on the town in many ways.

Thor, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix who served with Vernon Police Officer Bryan Sembersky for seven years, died Oct. 16 from medical complications.

Sembersky was at Thor's side when he died on Saturday and a local and regional show of support was on hand Monday for a memorial service.

A procession of several canine officers and their dogs made it way down Route 30 to begin an emotional tribute. Officers and staff stood at attention as Sembersky entered Vernon police headquarters with Thor's ashes. He was presented with a retirement shadow box with and several speakers paid tribute to their accomplishments.

Thor's "final watch" call was broadcast over the police radio network.

Thor was born in Slovakia and brought to the United States, where he trained with Sembersky as a patrol and drug detection dog. To be a patrol dog, Thor had to successfully complete training in tracking, building searches, area searching, finding articles and evidence, apprehending criminals and handler protection. As a drug detection dog, Thor consistently and accurately located marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

As a team, Sembersky and Thor were nationally certified. They were often seen at various fields around town exercising and practicing their skills.

"The bond formed between a police dog and its handler is very special," said Mayor Dan Champagne, a former Vernon police officer who knew Thor well. "I ask the Vernon community to join me in remembering Thor for his service and offering our condolences to Officer Sembersky and the entire Police Department."

Vernon Police Chief John Kelley said Thor was a valuable member of the Vernon Police Department and that he and Sembersky and were skilled at tracking suspects and finding drugs.

For example, in February 2016, Thor found 1,400 bags of heroin in a car after a routine motor vehicle stop turned into a drug investigation.

Said Kelley of the end result, "Two people were arrested and one received a three-year prison sentence."
During another call, Thor went into a building and found a burglary suspect hiding in a crawl space, Kelley said. In doing so, "Thor kept the responding officers safe and brought the situation to a peaceful resolution," Kelley said.

Thor played a key role in locating a gun that had been thrown into the Hockanum River during a homicide at the local Motel 6..

"Thor's keen abilities were instrumental in helping to recover the weapon," Kelley said.

Thor was immensely popular at community events, especially at National Night Out and the an dual July in the Sky Fireworks celebration. Children would crowd around Thor and Sembersky to learn about their work.

"Thor worked tirelessly to protect and serve his fellow officers and the residents of Vernon," Kelley said.