'That Dog Will Put His Life On The Line'

Pottstown Police Patrolman Mike Long and his partner have an impressive track record that includes an award from the North American Police Work Dog Association.

But now, after their long, powerful career and years of service to the community, it's time for Long’s partner Asztor, 10, a German shepherd on the force, to retire.

Long and Asztor are trained as patrol and explosives experts. 

Asztor is certified with the department until November 30. At that time, he will retire from law enforcement.

“I’ve been blessed with ... Asztor," Long said. "We’ve had a lot of success."

However, when Asztor leaves the force, Long will return to his career as a patrolman without another canine.

“It’s a young officer’s game,” he said of starting over with a young police dog.

The dogs love their work and typically lose their will to live after they retire.

“I compare it to an elderly person that loses a spouse,” Long said. “I value him … It will not be a happy day when he passes. But it’s coming.” 

Long also values the unique experience he gained from working with Asztor. 

“You get exposed and get to be involved in a lot more exciting things with the canine,” Long said. Police dogs are used in cases including bomb threats, suspicious packages and checking a building for suspects. “You’re involved in a lot more high profile incidences.” 

The Pottstown Police Dept. uses its three dogs for scent detection and apprehension of wanted persons on the run. The department responds to calls that include shootings, homicides, drugs and robberies. 

“That dog will put his life on the line if you tell him to do so,” Long said. “Our three dogs in my opinion are worth 10 officers.” 

The department’s officers and their dogs receive specialized training.

A police canine can cost $10,000 to $12,000 including its basic training.

Pottstown Police Officer Chris Zahorchak and his partner Jak, 2, a German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, specialize in narcotics patrol.

Pottstown Police Sgt. Mick Markovich and his partner Marko, 8, a Belgian Malinois, typically cover a patrol and narcotics beat.

They also worked on the S.W.A.T. team that tracked Mark Richard Geisenheyner who allegedly shot five people in Gilbertsville, Douglass Township -- killing three of them -- led police on a manhunt for days followed by a six-hour standoff and was later killed by police.

“Our dogs went through advanced school to work with the S.W.A.T. team,” Markovich said.

The dogs also receive ongoing training -- that exposes them to a variety of scenarios -- and are rewarded with playtime. 

A police canine is typically treated as a pet while at home with its partner police officer.

“They’re still social animals,” Markovich said of living with his dog.

That said, a police canine takes his job seriously.

“We take our dogs out and it’s to work. We don’t let people pet them, touch them, we use caution,” Markovich said. “The dogs are officers, partners. When we come to work, they come to work.” 

The bond between the officer and canine is solid, he said.

“Nobody else can understand or get that feeling of what that’s like,” Markovich said. 

Pottstown Police Capt. F. Richard Drumheller has worked around police canines throughout his career, which includes over 20 years in Pottstown.

In the past, the borough’s police canines were on assignment with the Secret Service when former U.S. President George W. Bush visited Pottstown, Drumheller said.

“We’re very blessed that we have three,” Drumheller said. “They’re a wonderful asset to the police department."