COLUMBUS, Ind. — Although it has been more than 30 years since the late Cleon Sweeney retired from the Columbus Police Department, he has not been forgotten.
On Thursday, nearly three dozen people — including many members of Sweeney’s family – gathered to be introduced to K-9 Cleon, a black German Shepherd named in honor of the 36-year veteran officer who died in July 2015.
According to his daughter, Amy Sweeney Gray, it was a honor that her father would have truly enjoyed.
“I’m sure he’s looking down from heaven with a big smile,” Gray said. “We now have another dedicated Cleon out on the streets today.”
Her husband, Matt Gray, described his late father-in-law as “the embodiment of the term ‘protect and serve’.”
K-9 Cleon and his partner, Officer John Busack Jr., recently returned to Columbus after several week of training in Michigan.
For more on this story, and more photos, see Saturday’s Republic.
