Today the Butler County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Sunday, Sept. 1, as National Police K-9 Day in Butler County.

National Police K-9 Day honors K-9 police dogs and street patrol, tracking and drug/bomb sniffing dogs, and to memorialize K-9s that gave their lives in the line of duty.

Five active-duty K-9s and their handlers plus one deceased former K-9 were honored with the presentation of large gold wreath lapel pins. They included:

• Butler County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Harry Callithen and “Bullet,” a German shorthaired pointer trained to track missing people and detect the odors of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.

• Jackson Township Police Ptl. Vaughn Pulgin and “Hutch,” a German shepherd certified in patrol and narcotics.

• Evans City Police Sgt. Donald Myers and “Chaos,” a German shepherd certified in patrol and narcotics, as well as “Rex,” a deceased former K-9.

• Butler City Police Ptl. Brian Grooms and “Gunner,” a German shepherd certified in patrol and narcotics.

• Butler City Police Ptl. David Villotti and “Blade,” a German shepherd certified in patrol and narcotics.

Butler County residents are extremely proud of these law enforcement officers and their canine partners. They deserve a day of public recognition for what they do: protect and serve.