DANVILLE — The Danville Police Department just added a new four-legged officer to the books. Welcome the department’s newest K-9, Argo.

Argo comes from Storm Dog Tactical and is assigned to Sgt. Travis Thomas. Thomas and Argo completed a five-week training course and were certified April 30.

The duo’s beat is patrol, chief and Republican sheriff nominee Daniel Weckesser said. The department started looking for a new K-9 in December.

Several businesses, and people donated to the department’s K-9 fund, including:

  • The Energy Cooperative Operation Round Up Foundations, Inc. 
  • Fred Maiback
  • Danville Feed
  • Ohio Line Construction 
  • Hangout
  • T.C. Foods Wendys Joe Curran
  • K B Tire & Auto
  • Danville Mini-Mart 
  • Killbuck Savings Bank 
  • Park National Bank
  • Danville Tire and Alignment

“Thanks to all the people and individuals, businesses that have donated to the K-9 fund since 2009 to help make this a successful program for Danville,” Weckesser said.

Argo cost the department $18,250. Pricing for K-9s has increased in recent years, Weckesser said, noting the stark contrast from 2009 to 2024.

Weckesser attributes the rising costs to inflation, insurance rates and care for the K-9, along with increased training.

Argo is trained in targeting specific narcotics like methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine, Weckesser said.