What Are The Names Of 2 Dogs Named After Philly Area Police Officers?

EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Meet the newest recruits of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center: Ryan and Stevie.

Ryan and Stevie were donated to the PVWDC by Integrity K9 Training and are named in honor of the late Hatboro K-9 Officer Ryan Allen and Warrington Police Officer Steve Plum.

"Ryan and Steve were pillars within their communities, model K9 handlers, and were adored by all who knew them. We know with the help of our village, Ryan and Stevie will honor their namesakes as future working dogs," the Penn Vet Working Dog Center said.

Allen, a Hatboro Borough police officer, passed away in April 2022 after suffering from a heart attack and subsequent brain injury after he was stung by a bee in October 2021.

Allen had been on the police force since 2013, was a member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force, and helped create the Hatboro Police Department's first police K9 program, leading him to the PVWDC and his K9 partner, Louie (donated by Julie Norton).

"Ryan and Louie were very well known, admired and loved within their community," the Penn Vet Working Dog Center said.

Louie remains part of the Hatboro Police Department and was reassigned to Police Officer Michael Thompson to continue Ryan's devotion and legacy to the K9 program.

Police Officer Steve Plum, of the Warrington Police Department, passed away in May 2022 after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Plum was a dedicated public servant to his communities and country for the majority of his life as a U.S. Marine, Firefighter, EMT, and police officer.

In 2018, Plum earned his way into Warrington’s first-ever K9 Unit, finding his K9 partner at the PVWDC with K9 Murphy (PVWDC Vrijheid Dutch Shepherds).

"Ever since he was a kid and saw a K9 demonstration, Steve wanted to be a K9 handler, and his colleagues often reflect on how amazing it was to watch him fulfill that dream. Steve excelled at community outreach, and one memory that always comes to mind was virtual story time with Steve and Murphy during the COVID pandemic. Steve was fondly referred to as "Murphy's human,", and their dedication to the Warrington and surrounding communities were second to none. Steve and Murphy's jovial attitude and commitment to training made them a very successful team that Warrington is very proud of," the Penn Vet Working Dog Center said.

"Thank you Penn Vet Working Dog Center for honoring the memory of Officer Allen and Officer Plum, two inseparable friends who were taken far too early from us," Hatboro borough officials said. "Both these fine, young officers loved being K9 officers."