Full Notification

West Springfield, MA:  After a distinguished seven-year career with the West Springfield Police Department, K9 Rado will officially retire from service on April 24, 2025.  Rado has been a loyal and courageous partner to Officer John McCarthy and a vital member of the force since the beginning of his career.

Rado began his training in patrol and narcotics detection shortly after joining the department and quickly proved to be an exceptional working dog. Over the years, he has been deployed approximately 200 times on active calls ranging from narcotics and evidence searches to missing persons cases, criminal apprehensions, and high-risk felony operations; this number does not include his contributions during less urgent service calls such as alarm checks, presence patrols and K9 demonstrations.

Over the years, Rado has played a key role in numerous arrests. His keen senses and specialized training have led to the discovery of firearms and illegal substances, including heroin, crack, and cocaine. Whether locating suspects, leading them to surrender, or performing physical apprehensions, Rado consistently demonstrated professionalism, courage, and reliability in the line of duty.

Among the many memorable moments in Rado’s career, one stands out when he apprehended a burglary suspect fleeing with $130,000 in stolen cash. Following that success, Rado seamlessly transitioned into tracking mode, leading officers to a key witness whose information helped capture a second suspect and the getaway driver. 

Another highlight came during a high-stakes armed robbery investigation. After four suspects were apprehended following a vehicle pursuit in which a State Police cruiser had been rammed, Rado was deployed to track down a fifth suspect who had fled on foot. His track led officers down Route 5 to a property in a neighboring city, where the final suspect was located and taken into custody.

In another unexpected moment, Rado’s water apprehension training came into play when he tracked a subject with a warrant into the Connecticut River in the dark of night. After giving an announcement to the subject and hearing no response, Officer McCarthy released Rado and soon heard a splash. After locating Rado in the water by flashlight with the subject nearby, Officer McCarthy notified him of Rado’s swimming prowess, which quickly resulted in a voluntary surrender. 

Rado’s most recent physical apprehension took place last September. After spotting a suspect wanted for multiple violent felonies—including a violation of a restraining order and an attempted vehicular assault—Rado helped locate and apprehend the individual following a brief vehicle pursuit and foot chase. The suspect was found hiding in dense brush and was safely taken into custody thanks to Rado’s determination and skill.  Rado’s work ensured the safety of all officers involved in the pursuit, demonstrating that he had not lost his effectiveness despite nearing retirement.

As Rado steps away from active duty, he will enjoy retirement in the home of his partner, Officer John McCarthy. Though his working days are over, Rado will continue to be a cherished companion and a beloved member of the West Springfield Police Department family.

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