Vernon PD's New Canine Unit Officially On The Job

VERNON, CT — Vernon's new police dog is on the job.

Officer Brandon Zawadski and Franco recently completed training and had their first shift together in Vernon on Wednesday.

Franco is a 2-year-old German shepherd/Belgian Malinois. Both completed 10 weeks of training in South Carolina.

In November, a group of Vernon residents and business people began mobilizing to raise funds for a new police dog for the local department following the unexpected passing of canine officer Thor a month earlier. 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.

The effort for a new dog was spearheaded by longtime resident Lisa Moody, along with Tim Poloski, Polly Schaefer, Julie Clay, Laura Bush, Patty Noblet, Kathy Stavens, Martha Cain and Russell DeBella. They quickly surpassed the $30,000 goal to fund a new police dog.

Franco joins Tengo, a 5-year-old police dog who had been the only canine for the VPD.

Police are planning a formal meet-and-greet for the near future.