The smell of success

Officer, canine partner finish third in narcotics trials

By VINCE LUECKE
Editor, Perry County News

TELL CITY – Police officer Derrick Law-alin and his canine partner Jago enjoyed a big weekend, taking third place in a national competition for police-narcotics dogs.
The 2007 Winter Sniff-Off in Bedford, sponsored by the American Canine Association drew 30 officers and their dogs, Lawalin said. The competition, designed to test dogs’ ability to detect narcotics, included timing dogs as they attempted to find drugs in school lockers, vehicles and canisters.

Lawalin and Jago’s time was less than a minute behind the eventual champion and they missed second place by only seconds.

Since joining the Tell City Police Depart-ment less than a year ago, Jago has assisted officers in over 100 incidents and contributed to the filing of more than 40 criminal cases, Lawalin said. The officer and dog have also visited local schools and participated in public demonstrations.

Lawalin joined the city’s police force in December 2002.