K-9 Unit Takes Second in National Competition

Two township police K-9s purchased with donations to the K-9 Schultz Memorial Fund finished in the top 20 at last month's 2011 United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) National Trials.

The Gloucester Township Police K-9 Unit, which entered four teams, finished second overall at the national competition, held Sept. 18-23 in Detroit Lakes, MN.

The Township Council will recognize the K-9 Unit at its regular meeting Monday night. The session is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Ptl. Chris Gerace and K-9 Arrow finished seventh overall, while Cpl. Mark Pickard and K-9 Maximus finished 18th.

Both police canines were purchased with Schultz Memorial funds, and graduated from K-9 school in May.

In addition to their seventh-place overall finish, Gerace, who also serves the township as chief of Chews Landing Fire Department, and K-9 Arrow finished fifth in the criminal apprehension competition.

Gerace is in his first year as a K-9 handler. He reportedly became just the third first-year handler to finish in the top 10 of the USPCA National Trials in 40 years.

Pickard, who was K-9 Schultz's handler, was presented with the USPCA's Monza Award, which honored the beloved K-9 that was killed in the line of duty last November, and the Top Case of the Year Award for his efforts with Schultz in tracking and ultimately capturing the Nov. 30 robbery suspects.

In addition to the top-20 finishes of Gerace, Pickard and their police canines, the national No. 2 department team finish was cemented by quality scores from Cpl. James Kaelin and K-9 Brutus and Ptl. James Clark and K-9 Nero, police said.