K9 Spotlight: Steve Russo & K9 Nick

Steve Russo & K9 Nick
Police Handler/Trainer

Sergeant Steve Russo and K9 Nick were partnered together in January 2013. K9 Nick, a narcotics patrol dog from Gold Coast K9 in Ventura, California, started his career with Sergeant Russo in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania. K9 Nick served the township and community with honor and pride. He had a one-of-a-kind temperament rarely seen in police dogs; his ability to separate work from home life was exceptional. Sergeant Russo and K9 Nick worked the streets from January 2013 through April 2021. During their partnership, they completed several specialized schools, including a SWAT K9 operator course, which led to their assignment on a county SWAT team. Their success became well known throughout surrounding police departments, earning them significant respect. K9 Nick worked alongside many agencies, including the Attorney General’s Office, FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Narcotics Task Force, U.S. Postal Service, DEA Task Force, and local SWAT teams. Throughout his career, Nick earned numerous awards from both his department and neighboring agencies for his service in narcotics detection and felony suspect apprehensions. After retiring in April 2021, K9 Nick enjoyed the rest of his life with his handler and family—wife Stephanie, daughters Paige and Laine—while tolerating his Jack Russell brother, Gunther. Nick loved spending his retirement lying in the backyard, under the porch, in the sun, and going on long hikes.

On May 19, 2023, due to declining health and mobility, a difficult decision was made, and Nick was euthanized at home surrounded by his family and members of the Upper Darby Police Department. K9 Nick received a full honors funeral, with streets closed throughout the township as he was transported by the SWAT team's armored vehicle, led by the highway patrol unit to his final resting place. K9 Nick will always be remembered by those who worked closely with him, as well as by the suspects who feared him.

Their Gear: Dogtra E-collars, leather leads, puppy bite pillows, hidden soft sleeves, jute reward tugs, magnetic stash boxes, Precision Explosives odor prints.

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