Rehoboth K9 Officer David Aguiar Honored

Rehoboth Police Officer David Aguiar was honored as K9 Handler of the Year in a ceremony held Saturday in South Yarmouth.

Aguiar, who is partnered with Edo, was presented with the K9 Sergeant Sean Gannon Award. Gannon was a Yarmouth Police Officer killed in the line of duty in April 2018. He was the first K9 Narcotics Officer for the Police Department.

Acting Police Chief Louis DiBacco, Sergeant Jason Ferreira, Detective Paul McGovern, and Town Selectman Leonard Mills were on hand to congratulate Aguiar.

Aguilar and his canine partner Edo has been a regular fixture at Palmer River Elementary School and Beckwith Middle School.

Aguilar became a Reserve Officer in 2015 and was promoted to full-time Patrolman in 2016. Aguilar and Edo were paired up in May 2021 when then Chief James Trombetta offered Aguilar the position of K9 Handler.

They both attended the Rhode Island Police Canine Academy, where they learned and conducted basic obedience, as well as basic emergency medical care for police canines.

The pair are a part of the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Detection Unit as an EOD Canine Support. Aguilar and Edo had assisted them every year with two major events –the Boston Marathon and July 4^th Harborfest on the Esplanade. In addition, Aguilar and Edo are called to assist on any bomb threats being handled by the MSP. The pair support local and surrounding police departments on search warrants for firearms and ammunition.