2009 K-9 Awards Finalists

2009 OUTSTANDING K-9 AWARDS

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[** Denotes the Winners of each category]

1. SUSPECT APPREHENSION

Brian McCauley & "Olla"
1 – Michael Monticello & " Onyxx " - Hazelwood P.D.
2 – Michael Mojzis & " Bobo " - O’Fallon P.D.
3 – Eric Bailey & " Kof " - Granite City, IL P.D.
4 – Tim Conner & " Mink " - Normandy P.D.

** Brian McCauley & " Olla " St. Louis County

Last May, Officer McCauley and Olla were called upon to respond to a home burglary where 3 suspects had been identified. After searching the entire house, it was noted that the attic access in a closet was disturbed. Olla was lifted into the attic which had no light, insulation, and no floor, only rafters. When the suspect failed to respond to the officer’s commands, Olla was sent to apprehend, which she did by seizing his upper thigh. The suspect was taken into custody and subsequently charged.

2. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DETECTION

Clete Mathis & "Ringo"

1 – Clete Mathis & " Ringo " - Normandy P.D.
2 – Brian Hale & " Chaiver " - Hazelwood P.D.

** Clete Mathis & " Bathon " Normandy P.D.

Bathon was retired from service last summer due to health concerns and sadly, died a few weeks ago. He was nominated this year in part due to his last large controlled substance detection. He was called upon to search two vehicles which were traveling together, but which had been separately stopped on the interstate. In the first vehicle (a rental box truck), Bathon discovered a newly constructed false wall behind which was located over 700 pounds of marijuana. In the companion second vehicle, he discovered $35,000 in currency.
Bathon was an exceptional K-9 dog who served his communities with dedication and honor. He will be missed.

3. EVIDENCE DETECTION

Michael Werges & "Riki"

1 – Terrell Benne & " Chief " - St. Louis City P.D.
2 – Michael Monticelli & " Onyxx " - Hazelwood P.D.
3 – Sgt. James Lansing & " Sari " - Monroe County (IL) Sheriff
4 - Michael Robertson & " Nick " - St. Louis City P.D.
5 – Brian Hale & " Chaiver " - Hazelwood P.D.
6 – Gerald Abernathy & " Zeus " - City of Arnold P.D.

**Michael Werges & "Riki" Eureka P.D.

This is the fourth year in a row for Riki winning this category, even though he is only 6 years of age. Riki was nominated with 2 of his detections this year. In one case, he was asked to back track to the site of a suspected burglary. He successful found the house, but demonstrated his narcotics alert. The uncooperative homeowner reluctantly gave consent to search his property – without Riki!! Nevertheless, drugs and weapons were found. Thus 2 cases were resolved by Riki. In the other case, he detected evidence which was hidden away among meat; which was the suspect’s excuse for why Riki was so interested.

4. TRACKING

Joseph Dobbs & "Grinch"

1 –Trin Daws & " Ayla " - Waterloo P.D.
2 - Michael Monticelli & " Onyxx " - Hazelwood P.D.
3 –David Porter - & " Otto " St. Louis County P.D.
4 –Eric Bailey - & " Kof " Granite City, IL P.D.
5 –Clete Mathis - & " Ringo " Normandy P.D.
6 –Brian Hale - & " Chaiver " Hazelwood P.D.
7. - Greg Casem - & " Dan'O " Ferguson Police Dept

** Joseph Dobbs - & " Grinch " St. Louis City P.D.

This is the second time that Grinch has won this category (2006). Grinch had a very busy year in this category of tracking. Over 21 suspects were apprehended on a variety of charges as a result of his tracks. His reputation as a successful and sure tracker has resulted in other jurisdictions requesting his assistance; including the location of a missing child. Many of his cases are still pending so details can not be released at this time. But again he proved that he is a tracking machine.

5. SEARCH & RESCUE

Brian Towsley & "Rebel"

** Brian Towsley - & " Rebel " Monarch Fire Protection District

Rebel was called upon to help search for a 3 year old who had walked away from his home with his dog in Lincoln County in late fall. Rebel’s search took him into a state park with very diverse terrain. He continued to persist in his search despite efforts to redirect him elsewhere. Rebel eventually found the boy who had now been missing over 7 hours with falling temperatures.

6. PROTECTION

Michael Werges & "Riki"
**Michael Werges & "Riki" Eureka P.D.

Riki, one of the busiest K-9s, is a repeat winner in this category. This year he was nominated for two of his performances in this area. In the first, Riki took point in a tactical team that had been assembled to apprehend an armed murder suspect. In the second incident, Riki was called upon to locate a sexual offender. Several area schools were on lock down because of the vicinity of the suspect. Riki’s persistence eventually led to the discovery and apprehension of the suspect.

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