CHAMBERSBURG – When Basco, the retired German shepherd police dog, died this week, the department lost an esteemed partner but also family friend.
The department reported “with a heavy heart” earlier this week that Basco had died of natural causes. He had retired after seven years of police service in 2021 but continued making his home with his handler, PFC John Sgrignoli, where he was one of the family and great with Sprignoli’s children, according to the K9 unit manager, PFC Cody Morris.
Morris said Basco was “definitely a dog who liked to work” and was responsible for multiple apprehensions and drug arrests. Yet and somewhat unusual, Morris noted, when Basco went home and off duty he was happy to lie upside down on the couch to be scratched and “give kisses just like any family dog.” Morris noted his own K9 unit dog behaves much the same with Morris’ own children.
Chambersburg has two other dogs who serve the canine unit, which has been in place since 1995.
