Handler – Sergeant Sean Andrus
Salem Mourns Loss Of Retired Police K9 Turbo
Salem police are remembering a four-legged officer who served the residents of the city both as a protector and good boy at school and community events after retired police K9 Turbo died of natural causes this week. The German Shepard was a member of the department for eight years from 2012 until his retirement in 2020. Since retiring, Turbo had been living with his handler, Sergeant Sean Andrus, and his family. In an era where police dogs often either do the hardcore police work of searching for suspects or explosives or engage the community as a friendly comfort dog, Turbo did both. Salem police said Turbo was well known in the Salem community — responding to calls with officers, showing off his skills at K9 demonstrations throughout the North Shore and visiting with school children at Salem’s schools. “His career report card was exemplary in all respects,” police said. Turbo spent the final two years of his life with the Andrus family “swapping stories and doggy tales with his first handler, retired officer Tim Salvo, lounging around watching silly cat videos on YouTube and occasionally — but never successfully — chasing squirrels around the backyard.” Salem police said they would like to thank the many citizens and businesses of Salem who have supported the department’s K9 program over the years with Turbo was a recipient of their generosity.