“It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the passing of our beloved Socks.” Socks passed away peacefully on July 20 at the age of 8, 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,” Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush announced.

“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 Wesley was chosen as the UPPD’s first K-9 officer (Almanac October 8, 2013). She and Socks enrolled in The John “Sonny” Burke Canine Training Center, Woodbine, NJ; graduating on December 20, 2013. In addition to being trained as an ordnance detection canine, Socks received certification in scent tracking as well. She served with the UPPD for seven years as an ordnance detection dog.

Socks and Officer Wesley worked many large events, including: the annual Penn Relays; numerous dignitary visits to Penn, including US Presidents and Vice Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, US Cabinet Secretaries, and numerous others; and they were honored to work the Papal Visit. They ensured 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 (Almanac November 4, 2014). Socks was Penn’s 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 was always gracious when parents and students were heard sending oohs and aahs to Socks, who ate up the attention,” added Ms. Rush.

“We are all grateful to K-9 Officer Socks for her seven years of service to the Penn Community. Socks, you will be missed.

“Our hearts are heavy for Officer Wesley and her family. Socks lived with Officer Wesley 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 send 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.”

Well done, Penn Police K-9 officer Socks!

-----

To Report A Death

Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students and other members of the University community. Call (215) 898-5274 or email almanac@upenn.edu

However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Suite 300, 2929 Walnut St., (215) 898-8136 or email record@ben.dev.upenn.edu