K-9 Captain Dargo, remembered as one of the biggest celebrities in York County, has died

The York County Sheriff's Office is mourning the death of K-9 Captain Dargo, who died Monday at the age of 12, according to the department's Facebook post.

"We have lost a family member who was so loved and respected by all," according to the sheriff's office Facebook post.

Dargo Bett Silver, a pure-bred German shepherd, was born Nov. 13, 2011 in Czechoslovakia. He was purchased and donated to the sheriff's office by Think Loud LLC.

The retired K-9 and his handler, Lt. David Godfrey, have been partners for 10.5 years, according to the sheriff's office.

Captain Dargo was trained in explosives detection, tracking, building searches, area searches, article searches and other detection abilities, according to the county's website.

"Captain Dargo will always be remembered as one of the biggest celebrities in York County and beyond," the Facebook post states. "He completed over 800 service calls, countless community service events and so much more."

Captain Dargo was the second retired K-9 officer in the department. Lt. Lou, who was the first K-9 officer in the sheriff's office, died in 2019 after being retired for nearly two years.

The sheriff's office has five active K-9s: Hawk, Tommi, Khan, Prince and Miki, according to the county's website.

Protection4Paws, a nonprofit organization that helps to supply lifesaving gear to K-9 teams, shared its heartbreak over the passing of Captain Dargo.

"To the Godfrey family and the York County Sheriff Office we send our thoughts and prayers," the Facebook post states.

The sheriff's office also expressed its sympathy to Godfrey and his family and reminded them that they will never be alone.

"Thank you for everything Captain Dargo," the sheriff's office said in the Facebook post. "You have crossed the rainbow bridge and it is time for you to eat and enjoy all the steak, cake, cheese and brisket you want! We forever love you and miss you."