DPS NEWS

Passing of Retired K9 Arros

We are saddened to share the news that retired K9 Arros passed away on July 18, 2022. We are grateful to Arros for his dedicated service to the people of Utah and for his service to our country before he joined the Utah Highway Patrol. We extend our condolences to Sgt. Colvin, who was Arros’ handler and who adopted Arros after he retired in 2020.

Arros was accepted into a program called Project K9 Hero, their goal is to ensure the best quality of life for our nation’s retired Military Working Dogs and Police K-9 Heroes by providing assistance with medical costs, food, and end-of-duty services. We are grateful to Project K9 Hero for supporting Arros and other retired canines who dedicated their lives to protecting others.

Arros was a dual-purpose K9 trained in patrol and explosive detection.

Prior to working with UHP, K9 Arros honorably served with the US Army’s 1st Special Forces Group as a Multi-Purpose Canine specializing in Tracking, Apprehension, and Explosives Detection. Arros conducted classified Special Operations missions worldwide for five years.

After retirement from the Army, K9 Arros was assigned to the Dignitary Protection Unit of the Utah Highway Patrol. K9 Arros provided explosive detection sweeps for events featuring President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Joe Biden, and presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Bernie Sanders.

During the last five years of his career, K9 Arros was instrumental in assisting Utah Governor Gary Herbert with numerous events including the National Governors’, Republican Governors’, and Western Governors’ Conventions. K9 Arros provided sweeps daily during the Utah Legislative sessions, and biannually for the Utah Supreme Court and Appellate Courts.

Additionally, K9 Arros provided sweeps for the Utah Jazz, along with a dozen other visiting teams, the University of Utah football team, as well as special events like the St. George Ironman race. As a police K9, Arros apprehended several suspects and assisted the State’s SERT team with high-risk warrant services when necessary.

Rest in peace, Arros.