Neither rain, nor wind, nor dark of day could keep the police K-9s away! Teams from area Connecticut towns, the MTA K9 unit in New York City and the 928th Military Police Army National Guard tackled the obstacle course, apprehended suspects and demonstrated their obedience skills at the inaugural Western CT Police K-9 Challenge.
The fundraising event, held Sat., Oct. 3 and hosted by the Newtown Kennel Club and the Friends of Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard (2GHG) provided much needed funds to support keeping the 2GHG, one of the last active cavalry units, based here in Newtown.
Newtown Police Officer Paula Wickham, Brookfield Police Officer Jeff Osuch and Chris Sweetwood, AKC Delegate, judged the day’s competition. 2GHG Commandant Major Gordon Johnson assisted by NKC members presented the ribbons and medallions to the winners.
2015 Western CT Police K-9 Challenge Results
Best Overall Team Awards
Based on cumulative points earned in the individual events of obstacle course, article find, obedience, simunitions, and suspect apprehension.
First: Norwalk Police Department – K-9 Czar, a 7-year-old male Belgian Malinois, and his handler Sgt. Frank Reda. K-9 Czar is dual-purpose trained on narcotics and patrol.
Second: Ridgefield Police Department – K-9 Loki, a 2-year-old male German Shepherd Dog trained in patrol, and his handler Shawn Murray.
Third: Naugatuck Police Department – K-9 Vane, a 5-year-old male German Shepherd Dog, patrol certified, and his handler Ian Kosky.
Best K-9 Awards
First: K-9 Vinny – a 2-year-old male Malinois/Shephard mix, dual-purpose trained in explosives and patrol, from the MTA Police K-9 Unit with his handler Bill Finucane.
Second: K-9 Ace – a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, from the Clinton Police Department with his handler Greg Matakaetis.
Third: K-9 Loki, a 2-year-old male German Shepherd Dog, from the Ridgefield Police Department with his handler Shawn Murray.
Best Handler Awards
First: Thomas Fletcher – from the Connecticut 928th Military Police Working Dog Detachment, part of the Army National Guard stationed in Newtown, CT and his Military Working Dog K9 Schurkje, a 3-year-old male Belgian Malinois.
Second: Sgt. Frank Reda – from the Norwalk Police Department with K-9 Czar.
Third: Bill Finucane – from the MTA Police K-9 Unit with K-9 Vinny.
Enjoy these photos from the event. (Photo credit: David S. Woo)
Article recovery competition
Belgian Malinois “Czar” from the Norwalk PD signals a find
K-9 Saint Michael (with Officer Felicia Figol from the Newtown PD) shows off his skills in an Obedience demonstration
“Extra credit” on the Obstacle course involved getting a little bit muddy
The competitors at the inaugural Western CT Police K-9 Challenge
Photo time before the awards ceremony
Top Handler Award: Handler Thomas Fletcher with K-9 Schurkje from Connecticut's 928th Military Police Working Dog Detachment
Top Dog: Sgt. William Finucane with K-9 Vinny of the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) Police
Overall Top Team: K-9 Czar and Sgt. Frank Reda of the Norwalk Police Department
Obstacle course
Obstacle course
Obstacle course
K-9 Czar apprehending his “suspect,” Newtown Police Officer Matt Hayes