[Archived] K-9 Unit Honored at the United States Police Canine Association Region 3 Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 22, Officer Steve Escobar and "Gracie," Officer Kyle Russel and "Chance," and Officer Mark Wuckovich and "Rocco" were honored at the United States Police Canine Association Region 3 Awards Banquet. They received recognition for achievements earned during Patrol Dog 1 Certification on April 28 – 29, 2012 and Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) Detector Trials on March 28, 2012.

All three handlers and their K-9 partners received Patrol Dog 1 Certification. Officer Wuckovich and “Rocco” were awarded with the T. Patrick Cahill Award. This award is given to the individual team with the highest score in Obedience and Criminal Apprehension. Officer Steve Escobar and "Gracie" and Officer Mark Wuckovich and "Rocco" were also named a Region Three Triple Crown, indicating the team is certified in Detection, Patrol Dog 1 and Tracking within a calendar year.

In addition, they earned the following awards. Awards were given for individual teams that competed in the past and a special ‘Novice’ Category for teams competing for the first time.

• Mark Wuckovich – “Rocco”
  2nd Place Overall
  3rd Place EOD Detection

• Steve Escobar – “Gracie”
  1st Place Overall – Novice
  5th Place Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Detection

• Kyle Russel – “Chance”
  2nd Place Overall – Novice

The Police Department also entered one team in the Team Certification. The team was comprised of Officer Russel and "Chance," Officer Escobar and "Gracie," and Officer Wuckovich and "Rocco." The team received 1st place in Team Certification.