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Bristol County graduates new apprehension, tracking K9 after emotional retirement of previous partner

Published

3 years ago

November 5, 2021

Ken Paiva

Bristol County K9 Officer Ryan Isherwood and his partner Xeus recently graduated from the apprehension and tracking academy. Over the last 16 weeks, the pair trained across the area in different environments and on different surfaces, including Battleship Cove in Fall River. [Photo courtesy of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office]

DARTMOUTH – Family comes first for Bristol County K9 Officer Ryan Isherwood.

Family members on two and four legs that is.

Officer Isherwood, a Marine Corps. veteran and longtime corrections and K9 officer at the BCSO, stood at a podium in a function room on Friday. Family, friends, co-workers and others in law enforcement gathered for a graduation ceremony to honor Officer Isherwood and his new K9 partner Xeus (pronounced Zeus).

It marked the end of an emotional road for Officer Isherwood, whose first K9 partner Xiro (pronounced Zero) was forced to retire last year due to a medical condition at only 3 years old.

“Having a dog that’s sick at home is a lot,” Officer Isherwood said before stopping to compose himself while looking at his wife, Ali, and two of his children in the first row. “She’s my rock and I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Officer Isherwood spent the last 16 weeks starting over from square one with Zeus, a 16-month-old Belgian Malinois who weighs around 80 pounds. Starting with bonding and communication, the pair worked toward certification in tracking and apprehension over the last few months.

“It was extremely tough for Ryan to retire his first partner,” Supt. Steven Souza said at the graduation ceremony. “Xeus is a great patrol dog and will be an amazing addition to our K9 unit.”

Xiro is now a retired dog and fills the role of Isherwood family pet perfectly. He plays with the ball and the children, goes for walks and lounges in the yard as part of the family.

The tracking and apprehension academy was headed by Sgt. William Dillingham, who said Officers Xeus and Isherwood are more than ready to serve and protect the people of Bristol County.

“They’ve both put a lot of work in,” Sgt. Dillingham said. “Zeus is a great dog and Ryan is a true professional. This team will hit the ground running and help keep people safe across Bristol County.”

The BCSO has two K9 graduations scheduled for next month. Officer Filipe DaSilva and his partner, K9 Robika, are completing the drug detection program, and the town of Fairhaven will welcome its first law enforcement K9 team when Officer Jill Jodoin and her partner, K9 Blue, finish the drug detection academy.