Fur, Feathers, and Fire: Meet Watertown's Most Unconventional City Workers

Unleashing Paw-sitive Spirits: Watertown’s unique team of furry and feathered city workers, featuring Sparky the firefighter, an expressive parrot, a diligent black lab, and Blue the police mascot, adds charm and character to community services. #WatertownWorks

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - While many City of Watertown staff members wear standard uniforms, a unique team of employees relies on fur, feathers, and a knack for spreading smiles to do their jobs. A recent spotlight from the City highlights four of Watertown’s most recognizable and engaging "workers," each contributing to the community in their own distinct way.

Sparky: Fire Safety Ambassador

Sparky, a veteran of Watertown Fire Rescue for 15 years, serves in the Fire Prevention Division, with the crucial mission of educating the community on fire safety. Residents often see Sparky at local schools, assisting with smoke detector installations or teaching essential fire prevention techniques to both children and adults.

One of Sparky’s proudest moments was starring as the lead in short promotional videos for the South Dakota State Fire School, which Watertown hosted for the past three years. When off-duty, he enjoys strolls around town and playing catch. His preferred lunch is a hot dog from Dempsey’s cart, and if he could choose a superpower, it would be "super bark" to be heard over the fire truck sirens.

Fred: Bramble Park Zoo’s Greeter

At Bramble Park Zoo, Fred the Cockatoo takes his role as the official greeter very seriously. Having served the Zoo for over two decades, the 42-year-old bird is one of the Zoo’s most recognizable animal ambassadors, famous for his whistles and friendly "hellos" that have welcomed thousands of visitors.

Fred’s favorite part of his job is the sound of children's excitement and laughter. In his free time, he is known for his remarkable car-alarm impression. Fred enjoys using his powerful beak to dismantle any box or toy he is given quickly. If Fred were telepathic, his goal would be to tell everyone about the "awesome zoo" to attract more visitors.

Popeye: Course Ambassador and Goose Chaser

Cattail Crossing Golf Course welcomed Popeye in August 2024 as its official goose chaser and on-course ambassador. This friendly Black Labrador spends his days greeting golfers (and occasionally acquiring a stray golf ball), patrolling the fairways, and ensuring the course is free of geese.

Staff members note that Popeye brings constant energy and enthusiasm to his job. When his shift ends, Popeye enjoys long walks, chasing squirrels, and receiving a "Pup Cup" of ice cream from Zesto or Dairy Queen. A fun fact about Popeye: his favorite reward is a good belly rub.

Blue: Police Department Mascot

The newest face on the team is Blue, the Watertown Police Department’s official mascot. Blue’s job is focused entirely on spreading joy and building positive community connections. Blue especially enjoys handing out high-fives to children on Friday mornings.

His typical workday is filled with smiles, tail wags, and treats. Off the clock, Blue loves chasing tennis balls and, like Popeye, enjoys a pup cup. Blue’s chosen superpower would be the ability to fly—making the game of fetch much easier.

From fire stations and golf courses to the police department and the zoo, these four unique individuals underscore the diverse personalities that work together to keep the City of Watertown running smoothly and full of good cheer.