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Police dogs named in memory of two former officers

Alex PopeBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imageHertfordshire Constabulary Two police officers, in a side-by-side image. They are both wearing uniform, with jackets, smiling and looking direct at the camera. They both have short dark hair.Hertfordshire Constabulary
The two police dogs were named after Dan Murphy and Paul Murray (right)

The families of two officers who died last year have said they are honoured that two newly trained police dogs have been named in their memory.

PD Muzza got his name from Paul Murray and PD Murphy from Sgt Dan Murphy, who both worked for the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Armed Policing Unit.

Victoria Murray, Paul's wife, said: "He would have been both humbled and amused to know that his legacy will live on in PD Muzza."

Dan's father, Kevin Murphy, said: "Dan only ever wanted to be a police officer and to have his dedication to the force recognised in this manner fills us with immense pride."

News imageHertfordshire Constabulary Sgt Dan Amos, holding on to PD Muzza, kneeling down in front of a yellow and blue marked police car, parked on green grass. Dan Amos is wearing all black and has short hair. Hertfordshire Constabulary
Sgt Dan Amos is the police handler for PD Muzza

The dogs, including PD Madden and PD Dixon, have all completed their 13-week training and now work for the BCH dog unit team.

They were trained in scent tracking, searching, obedience, agility, chasing and detaining.

Alongside their handlers - Sgt Dan Amos, PC Dale Jenkins, PC Josh Westgate and PC Liam Mandrell - they took part in a passing-out ceremony at Hertfordshire Police's headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, earlier in May.

Murray, a former officer who served for 24 years, "was a true professional known for his calmness and good nature", Hertfordshire Police said.

Ch Supt Jon Hutchinson said: "If PD Muzza embodies even half of his courage, calmness and reliability then the criminals best be worried."

News imageHertfordshire Constabulary Three police officers, all holding on to dogs. The man on the left is wearing a cap and an all black uniform. The man in the middle has a short beard, short hair and black jacket and trousers. And the man on the right has tattoos on each arm, short hair and is holding a dog. He is also dressed in black. Hertfordshire Constabulary
PC Liam Mandrell with PD Murphy, PC Dale Jenkins with PD Dixon and PC Josh Westgate with PD Madden

Victoria said: "It's a real honour for our family that Muzza has been named in memory of Paul.

"He was immensely proud to serve as a firearms officer."

Kevin continued: "It was both an honour and a privilege to learn of Herts Police's decision to name one of the new police dogs Murphy in Dan's memory."

News imageHertfordshire Constabulary Seven male police officers, all standing outside, in front of a large brick building with a large metal roof. Four of the men are holding on to dogs. They are by a large police dog van. Hertfordshire Constabulary
All four new police dogs were at the passing-out ceremony in Hertfordshire

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