After dedicating 31 years to law enforcement, Corporal Russ Day has retired from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), leaving behind a legacy of service, mentorship, and community impact. The most recent span of Day’s career included countless contributions to the department’s canine program. Fittingly, Day’s trusted canine partner, Astor, retired alongside him.
Day began his law enforcement career in Union County in 1993. Five years later, he and his wife, an elementary school teacher, moved to Daviess County, where Day joined DCSO as a deputy.
“John Bouvier hired me as he was transitioning out, and Sheriff Keith Cain was taking over,” Day recalled.
Over the years, Day advanced within the department. He got involved with the canine unit in 2004, eventually becoming its supervisor in 2022. The canine unit played a significant role in his career, shaping both his professional path and his impact on the community.
Over the years, he worked with three dogs: Abby, his first partner and a single-purpose drug detection dog; Jordan, who was retired after battling cancer; and Astor, who served the department faithfully for 8 years.
For Day, the canine unit offered some of his most rewarding experiences.
“Working with the dogs was a wild ride. It was fun and fulfilling,” he said noting that from drug finds to tracking suspects, the bond between handler and dog was central to his success. “Having a dog with you makes all the difference, and all of the highlights of my career were working with dogs.”
Day’s impact extended beyond the canine unit. For eight years, he served as a School Resource Officer at Daviess County High School, where Abby accompanied him.
“The school system was instrumental in getting me my first dog,” Day said. “It was a great partnership that helped both the school and the community.”
Sheriff Brad Youngman highlighted Day’s influence on the department, both as a mentor and as a leader.
“Russ was already a seasoned officer when I started over 20 years ago,” Youngman said. “Even back then, he stood out as someone who genuinely wanted to help — not just the community, but also young officers like myself. He’s been a pillar of the department, and his work with the canine unit set the stage for its growth and success.”
Youngman noted that the DCSO’s canine program expanded in recent years, thanks in part to Day’s groundwork.
“This agency had been a one-dog department for years, and that’s never enough,” Youngman said, noting the department had grown to four canines but will be back down to three with Astor’s retirement. “Because of Russ’s efforts, we’ve been able to build a stronger program. His leadership made it possible.”
Day’s decision to retire at age 61 came after careful consideration.
“I’ve always said being a street cop is a young man’s game,” Day said. “At this point, there are easier jobs where I could probably make as much money, though they might not be as fulfilling. After 31 years, it felt like the right time to step away.”
Astor’s retirement was also a carefully considered decision.
“Certainly at this stage in Astor’s career, there would be no way possible to retrain him to have a new handler,” Youngman said. “So it was the right thing to do to award Astor to Corporal Day so they can retire together.”
Reflecting on his career, Day spoke about the satisfaction of helping others.
“Ninety percent of this job is about helping people,” he said. “Even when you have to arrest someone, it means a lot when they later turn their lives around and thank you for it. That’s always been a big deal for me.”
Day’s career also spanned a period of significant change in law enforcement.
“The biggest transformation has been the technology,” he said. “When I started in 1993, we didn’t have computers in cars. Now, everything from running license plates to checking warrants can be done on the spot. It’s a different world.”
Although he hasn’t shared specifics about his next steps, Day is optimistic about the future. For now, Day and Astor will enjoy their retirement together, a fitting end to a partnership that exemplified dedication, service, and teamwork.
