'Rest In Peace, My Friend': Medford Officer Says Goodbye To Beloved K9

MEDFORD, MA — One of the most beloved members of the Medford Police Department died Friday. He was dedicated, loyal, and furry.

Marco, a 12-year-old K9, passed after an eight-year run serving alongside Officer Harold MacGilvray in the department.

"Marco's loyalty and service will be very much missed, and our thoughts go out to Officer MacGilvray and his family who lost a cherished member of their home," Lt. Paul Covino said. "He was as much a part of their family as he was ours."

MacGilvray wrote the following on Marco:

K9 Marco came to the United States in December of 2009. He was a three year old Belgian Malinios. He was introduced to his eventual partner Ptl. Harry MacGilvray in January 2010 by Massachusetts State Police Trooper Joe Liberty. Tpr. Liberty thought that we would make a good team, knowing Marco would carry much of the load. He was purchased by the Medford Police Department in February and attended the Massachusetts State Police Patrol Dog Class 2010-01 and the MSP Narcotic Detection Class 2010-01 and became a Police K9 by the end of 2010.

He went to work faithfully for the Medford Police Department every day since as the Department’s K9. K9 Marco assisted Medford Police Patrol, Investigative, and Narcotic Units on multiple occasions throughout his career. Some of his more notable deployments are; he successfully tracked and apprehended a home invasion suspect on New Year’s Eve 2011. K9 Marco tracked and located a money bag dropped by suspects that had robbed a Citizen’s Bank. This piece of evidence helped detectives eventually apprehend them in 2015. He apprehended a B&E suspect hiding in the basement of a Medford home.
On multiple occasions K9 Marco assisted Patrol and Investigative Units locate weapons that were used in assaults. Most notably a knife used in a St Patrick’s Day stabbing 24 hours laterthat was tossed in the woods behind the Malden Hospital. K9 Marco also assisted the Narcotic Units locate narcotics during motor vehicle stops and search warrants.
K9 Marco was a member of the Massachusetts State Police Training North Team and assisted MSP K9 in many notable deployments such as the Boston Bruins Stanley Cup celebration in 2011, the manhunt for a suspect that shot a Woburn Police Officer in September 2011, security detail at the Aquarium Blue Line Station after the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013 as well as assisting multi agencies with President Obama’s security detail during his visit to Boston to honor the victims of the Marathon bombings, and the eventual manhunt that took place in Watertown for the bombing suspects. K9 Marco was one of the first K9’s to arrive on scene in Watertown with State and Malden K9’s.
K9 Marco also enjoyed showing off his skills at annual K9 Demonstrations throughout his career. He was a fixture at the McGlynn School every fall. The McGlynn School Principal Diane Guarino, faculty, and students, honored Marco last spring at their annual Student / Teachers basketball game. K9 Marco also provided demonstrations for the Roberts, Brooks and Columbus Schools, Middlesex Sheriff’s Summer Camp, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Medford Little League, and helped out his counterparts at summer camps in Malden and Arlington.
Off duty K9 Marco hung out with his adopted family. He knew the difference between work and play and was an integral part of the MacGilvray family who will miss him terribly.
K9 Marco served the Medford Police Department and the Citizens of Medford with Distinction. He was a valuable asset to the Department and will be missed by all those that had the opportunity to work with him.
Thank you K9 Marco for your service, dedication and loyalty. Rest in peace my partner and my friend.