Department of Police Services Chief Alfredo B. Fernandez gives a warm tribute to the officers during their retirement celebration on July 17, 2025. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

Just checking in: K-9 officer Daisy keeps a watchful eye on her specially made cake as well-wishers gather for a retirement celebration July 17, 2025. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

Sgts. Virgil Messmore (left) and Randell Abney share a laugh while Daisy waits patiently for her cake. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

Finally, the cake! Daisy gets an assist from her partner, Sgt. Virgil Messmore. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

There was a special cake for the humans at the retirement celebration as well. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

Members of CSUN’s Department of Police Services pose for one last photo together July 17, 2025, as Sgt. Randell Abney, Sgt. Virgil Messmore and K-9 Daisy head off into retirement. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

Well-wishers packed the community room at CSUN’s Department of Police Services on July 17 to bid farewell to three dedicated officers who recently retired from the department: Sgt. Randell Abney, Sgt. Virgil Messmore and Daisy, CSUN’s beloved K-9 officer.

As Messmore and Abney took their seats in front of the crowd, Daisy excitedly patrolled the room, pausing briefly to accept loving pats and pets from her many admirers and friends. True to her training, she checked several times on the “security” of the table displaying a large, frosted cake for the humans — and a peanut butter-and-pumpkin treat made especially for her.

CSUN Police Chief Alfredo Fernandez shared glowing praise of all three officers, calling their retirement a “bittersweet moment.”

“I’m not surprised at all by the amount of people that are here today to celebrate these amazing careers and the contributions they have given us,” he said.

CSUN President Erika D. Beck was also on hand to say a fond farewell. 

“Sergeant Abney, Sergeant Messmore, you haven’t just been officers; you haven’t just facilitated safety. You’ve been educators, you’ve been mentors, you’ve supported our university mission to enable human potential. Many thousands of students have transformed their lives and their futures on your watch,” Beck said. 

Abney joined CSUN’s police department in 2001. Fernandez noted that over the years, Abney was promoted to detective corporal, then detective sergeant and also served as an interim lieutenant. Fernandez said his service included mentoring other officers. 

“A lot of people…. have maintained relationships with Randall because of his commitment to train them and bring them along, because they respect who he is,” Fernandez said. 

Messmore was hired in 2016, after working for many years in law enforcement in Santa Barbara County. Daisy began her career later that year, when Messmore became CSUN’s K-9 handler. The sweet-natured golden Labrador retriever, who was trained in explosives detection, was much more than her excellent nose for sniffing out dangerous materials — she was also a bridge, connecting law enforcement staff and the campus community, Messmore said.

“She made people happy, and I think that was important,” he said. “Daisy was able to bring us closer together and realize we could all work together.”

In addition to her formal duties, Daisy was a frequent visitor on campus with Messmore, who made her available to comfort students during finals. She was also a popular guest at the annual President’s Picnic and a frequent star on CSUN’s Instagram.

Daisy will keep busy chasing balls in her well-deserved retirement, Messmore said, but the pair will return to campus for events — particularly for CSUN Athletics, where they made many friends among the coaches and players. Messmore said he will continue his volunteer work, which includes assisting K-9 officers with their Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certifications.

As part of their farewell festivities, all three officers were given special law enforcement retirement badges —Daisy will wear hers on her collar. They also received a traditional “End of Watch” call, a brief broadcast over the police radio thanking them for their years of service. Be sure to check out the ceremony and party highlights in photos.

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The post Two Sergeants and a Very Good Dog: CSUN’s Finest Fetch a Well-Earned Retirement first appeared on CSUN Newsroom.