Community Corner

Forsyth's K9 Deputy Aron Hangs Up His Collar

The German Shepard who sniffed out drugs and perpetrators retires with a ceremony.

After a heroic career, a member of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has retired.

Aron, a German Shepherd born in Dec. 2005, followed his nose while working for the sheriff's office as a specialist in narcotics, patrol work and tracking, according to his handler Deputy First Class C. Scott Goldsberry.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, Deputy Aron officially hung up his collar after nearly six years of active duty. His retirement ceremony included his handler, deputies and staff of the sheriff's office, family members, and local media.

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During the ceremony, DFC Goldsberry explained why the FCSO is retiring the K9.

"About 15 months ago he was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)," he said. "It's a swollen prostate issue."

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Unfortunately BPH caused Aron to bleed a lot when he urinated, and his vision isn't as good as it use to be due to a full cataract over his right eye.

See video of Aron and his handler DFC Goldsberry --

In his hey day Aron has had a lot of narcotics busts.

"K9 Deputy Aron has pursued and captured hidden and fleeing perpetrators, retrieved suspects from sheltered positions, detected and identified illegal drugs, contributed to the seizure of ill gotten gains and performed splendidly throughout his distinguished career," said Major Paul Taylor, who oversees the K9 Unit.

Aron even bit a suspect believed to be involved in the burglary of a local business.

"We were clearing the outside building and he actually located a suspect in the bushes that was hiding," said Goldsberry. "He lunged into the bushes, bit him, and brought him out to me."

Goldsberry, who has been Aron's handler for two years, is okay with the dog's retirement.

"It's more comfortable for me knowing that I get to keep him," he said. "If it was a situation where he got retired and then he got taken away from me, it would probably be a little more stressful."

Aron joins the Goldsberry family, which includes DFC Goldsberry, his wife, their daughter and a female Rottweiler.

Using seized funds; Deputy Aron was purchased by the FCSO on Aug. 27, 2007. He is a certified member of the American Walking Dog Association and the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association.

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