HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The four-legged heroes of the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) recently showcased their incredible skills at a national competition, bringing home awards and recognition for their impressive performance.
Smoke, a Dutch Shepherd and member of HPD’s K-9 unit, along with his handler Officer Adam Judy, participated in the United States Police Canine Association's National Field Trials in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The event drew 67 top K-9 teams from across the country, but it was Smoke and Judy who emerged as standouts, marking the best performance ever by an HPD squad.
“I came in first place in obedience and third place overall in total search,” Judy said, expressing his pride in Smoke’s accomplishments. Judy was surprised by the results, having been woken from a nap by his trainer to hear the news.
The competition only happens once a year and features various challenges, including criminal apprehension, suspect search, and article search categories.
The rigorous training required for such trials is part of the K-9 team's routine to ensure they are prepared for real-life scenarios
“There’s a rich history here of working police dogs,” Judy said. “It’s very humbling and a total team effort.”
In addition to Judy and Smoke’s achievements, another HPD K-9 team, Officer Glaser and his partner Kioti, placed eighth overall in the competition, further showcasing the department's commitment to excellence in K-9 training.