Stephen Plum, an award-winning veteran of the Warrington Township Police Department, has passed away at age 38, victim of cardiac arrest. His career included military service and popularity as a township K9 officer, an initiative he pioneered. Gary Miles chronicled the life and loss in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Officer Plum, who resided in Warwick Township, created the Warrington K9 unit in 2018 and quickly rose to become its supervisor.

With his Dutch Shepherd partner, Murphy, aside him, the duo connected easily with law enforcement colleagues and the public. They were mainstays at community events and school assemblies, so much so that Plum commonly introduced himself as “Murphy’s human.”

He was so interwoven with the people he served, not even the pandemic could break the ties. During lockdown, Plum continued a children’s story-reading outreach he launched, with Murphy at his side, on Facebook.

Plum was described by law enforcement leaders as having an advantageous mix of grit and empathy. “He was the sweetest guy and such a role model for the children in our community,” one online poster wrote.

He leaves behind a wife, children, parents, a sister, and other relatives.

And Murphy as well.

More on the loss of Warrington’s Stephen Plum — including contact information for donations in his name — is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.