Retired K-9 Astor Remembered After Years of Service

The entire community is mourning the loss of retired K-9 Astor, who passed away on Saturday, March 28. Astor served the citizens of Daviess County alongside his longtime partner and handler, Corporal Russ Day, from 2017 until their retirement in 2025, leaving behind a legacy of service, dedication, and public safety contributions.

A Working Dog with Real Impact

During his years of service, Astor played an active role in removing dangerous drugs and weapons from the community. According to Corporal Day, the K-9 team was responsible for taking “numerous pounds of methamphetamine and other drugs and guns off the street, and away from our children.” Their work in the field reflected years of disciplined training and a strong operational partnership.

A Partnership Built on Trust and Training

Astor and Corporal Day worked closely throughout their career, developing a bond that extended far beyond the job. Day emphasized the effort that went into their success, stating, “We worked hard together in training, and it showed.”

That partnership not only supported successful deployments but also strengthened the department’s overall K-9 program and training culture.

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A Career That Spanned Growth and Retirement

Astor served eight years with the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, beginning in 2017. Corporal Day, who retired after 31 years of service, spent much of his career as a K-9 handler and trainer, mentoring other teams and helping develop K-9 programs beyond the agency.

Their retirement in 2025 marked the end of a long and accomplished chapter for both handler and K-9. We're so grateful for your service.

A Personal Goodbye

In a deeply personal tribute, Day shared the emotional reality of losing his partner, writing that he was grateful for the support of fellow handlers and friends during Astor’s final days. He described being able to hold Astor as he passed, saying, “I got to lie down in the green grass in the sunshine and hold him when he took his last breath.”

Day added, “As handlers, we all know they don’t live forever, and we try to prepare ourselves for the day, but no preparation truly gets you ready.”

He concluded his tribute by reflecting on their bond: “We had a great career together and he made me a better person, no doubt.”

A Legacy Remembered

Astor’s passing is being felt deeply within the Sheriff’s Office and among those who worked alongside him. Beyond his service record, he is remembered as a loyal partner who made a lasting impact both in the field and in his handler's life. #hero

Plans are expected to be announced in the future to honor Astor’s legacy.