Geauga Park District Ranger Denise Weisbarth and her K-9 partner, Sniper, have seen countless sunrises and sunsets over the county’s many parks.
Geauga Park District Ranger Denise Weisbarth and her K-9 partner, Sniper, have seen countless sunrises and sunsets over the county’s many parks.
Recently, at Observatory Park in Montville Township, they experienced the dawning of a new day as they approached March 31, the day they both retire from the park district.
This year is Weisbarth’s 32nd year in law enforcement, 22 of those years as a K9 officer.
“Many of our regular park guests know her well,” GPD Executive Director John Oros said. “In recent years, her being accompanied by her K9 Sniper made her even more recognizable and loved. Denise was a ranger who was very good at community-based policing. She could regularly be seen checking on individuals, families and those at park gatherings to say hello. I think this approach goes a long way in law enforcement. Not only does it develop valuable relationships — as is evidenced by the countless relationships Denise developed over the years — her approach to being seen played a vital role in our park guests feeling safe.”
Her long law enforcement career includes serving Hocking College, Middlefield, Burton and Geneva City police departments, the private sector and GPD, where she helped to create and implement the first K9 unit and was promoted to full-time ranger in 2003.
From 2013-2016, she served as GPD mountain bike patrol and from 2012 to the present, as terrorism liaison officer for the park district. In 2018, she received the Community Mentor Award from Cleveland Heights High School Private Security Class.
“The last seven years of my career as a K9 officer have been very rewarding,” Weisbarth said. “The community policing and public relations with K9 Sniper have opened up a newfound love and appreciation for teaching.”
Sniper and Weisbarth have participated in many local events over the years, building on community relations between law enforcement, parks and other patrons through parades, safety towns, community picnics, pancake breakfasts and other community programs.
Weisbarth attended many K9 conferences in the last 22 years as a K9 officer.
“It was important to me not just as an officer, but also a K9 officer, to keep my skills and knowledge up to date,” she said, adding she is excited for her newest law enforcement role.
“I will be starting my new career April 10, 2023, at Lakeland Community College as a campus police officer,” she said. “I fully intend to put my community policing/public relations skills to use at the college. I feel my vast background and skills will be put to good use.”
Sniper came from Europe and has been Weisbarth’s K9 partner for seven years at GPD.
“He was a very wild and crazy puppy at 16 months, but has matured into a great confident K9 over the years,” she said.
Sniper travels with her a lot and has his own bed in the back seat of her truck.
“Sniper is 8 years old now and it’s no secret he has had many medical issues,” she said. “The arthritis has set in and with retirement, he can relax on his favorite couch and not worry about his joints hurting. He will miss working every day and miss his treats from the (GPD) office girls, but rest assured he is just as spoiled at home.”
On their final day with GPD, Sniper and Weisbarth plan on celebrating by going for a walk at one of the parks and later giving Sniper a juicy steak.
“I want our fans and readers to know that we will truly miss you,” Weisbarth said. “We are especially grateful to all our donors and supporters over the years. We will miss creating a funny Sniper calendar and seeing your smiling faces.”
She added, “The last 22 years working, handling and training dogs has been so rewarding. I have learned a lot about dogs and myself personally. Not many people can say they achieved their career goals, but I did and more. Trust me when I say … I’m not done, yet. I have more to do as a law enforcement officer.”
