UPPD K-9 Officer Socks
It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the passing of our beloved Socks. Socks passed away peacefully on July 20, 2020 at Penn Vet Ryan Hospital surrounded by the love of Police Officer Julie Wesley and her daughters Taylor and Madison and her Foster Dad EVP Craig Carnaroli.
Socks was the star of the first class of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center in 2013. She was fostered by EVP Craig Carnaroli and his wife Amie Thornton. Dr Cindy Otto, Executive Director and founder of the WDC personally matched Socks with the UPPD.
Penn Police Officer Julie Wesley was chosen as the UPPD’s first K-9 officer. Julie and Socks enrolled in The John ‘Sonny’ Burke Canine Training Center in Woodbine NJ; graduating on December 20, 2013. Socks was trained as an ordnance detection canine and received certification in scent tracking as well.
Socks and Julie worked many large events such as the annual Penn Relays, numerous dignitary visits to Penn, including US Presidents and Vice Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, and US Cabinet Secretaries, and they were honored to work the Papal Visit – ensuring that all of these events were safe from ballistic/bomb threats by performing tedious “sweeps” of the sites. Socks LOVED working all of these special details.
Socks was our number one Community Policing Officer. She brought smiles to the incoming Freshman class at NSO and welcomed Penn Parents at the new Parent Panels annually at Irvine. At both events students and parents felt safer and happier watching “The Socks Show” on the Irvine stage. Julie responded graciously as parents and students were heard sending oohs and aahs to Socks, who ate up the attention.
Our hearts are heavy for Officer Julie Wesley and her family. Socks lived with Julie and her daughters and was a prominent member of the Wesley family. There is no way to describe the bond that is formed between a work partner and a family member. Socks was both for Julie and her family. We also offer our condolences to Socks’ Foster Parents Craig and Amie who loved her dearly and selflessly allowed Socks to start her career as a Working Dog.
We are all grateful to K-9 Officer Socks for her seven years of service to the Penn Community. Socks, you will be missed.
WELL DONE, PENN POLICE K-9 OFFICER SOCKS.
