Troop K – On February 17, 2016, Major Robin H. Benziger, members, and administrative staff gathered at Troop K Headquarters to bid farewell to Trooper Steven T. Hobson and bloodhound Darby. Trooper Hobson has served the division of State Police for 20 dedicated years, the last eight as Troop K Bloodhound handler. Trooper Hobson worked numerous high-profile cases including the Ralph “Bucky” Phillips manhunt in 2006, the 2014 Eric Frein manhunt in Pennsylvania, the 2015 Dannemora Prison Escape, and most recently, he and Darby were accredited with locating a homicide suspect wanted by the Suffolk County Police Department in the Town of Pawling. Darby and Trooper Hobson have been recognized with locating countless missing people and wanted suspects. In 2013, Trooper Hobson was awarded the Troop K Member Appreciation Award for his outstanding performance and commitment to Troop K.
Trooper Hobson’s dedication to the Bloodhound program has been an asset to the State Police. Both will be deeply missed and we wish them well in retirement.
