An enthusiastic hometown crowd, which is increasing every year, came to the Salisbury High School football stadium recently, to cheer for Salisbury Police Department's canine, Fonzie, and other canines from the region and surrounding states, as they competed in several skill events at the fourth annual K-9 Trials sponsored by the Salisbury Police Department.

The skills events included dogs and their handlers sniffing for narcotics hidden in one of two decoy vehicles parked along the field's track. The K-9 locating the narcotics in the fastest time was declared the winner.

Probably the most dramatic event, and the one which drew the greatest audience cheers was the "call-off" event. The canine handler holds his dog at bay while warning a downfield "perpetrator," an officer in a thickly padded training "bite suit," to surrender or face an attack by the canine. Then the officer releases the dog with an "attack" command. As the dog speeds toward his target, the handler shouts a "call-off" command. The dog getting closest to his target before obeying the "call-off" command and assuming a "hold" guard stance wins the contest.

Salisbury's K-9, Fonzie, was clearly the crowd favorite as he executed a perfect call-off obedience and guard exercise. Fonzie placed second in that competition behind West Reading canine, Fox.

It was clear several dogs did not hear, or chose to ignore, the call-off command, in favor of grabbing a mouthful of the decoy's bite suit.

There were also "fastest dog" awards and a "tactical obedience" competition.

Salisbury Police Department canine patrol officer Jason Laky said he was pleased with the crowd turnout and enthusiasm and "grateful so many teams showed up from the region and surrounding states."

"The event raised more than $2,000 for families of fallen officers who are in financial need," Laky said. "The total amount raised to date will put us over my initial goal of $15,000. The public turnout keeps improving each year and we hope to see this event grow bigger and bigger each year.

"The event allows the public to see the work all of the handlers put in to train these awesome dogs," Laky said. "I would also like to thank Salisbury Police Chief Allen Stiles, Salisbury School District Athletic Director Monica Deeb and the Salisbury Township School District for allowing us to host this event and use the school facilities. Without their support, what we are doing would not be possible," Laky said.

"Most importantly, a huge thank you to all of the K-9 teams for attending and letting the public see what our job is all about and the work it takes to have such loyal canine partners," Laky said.

The final 2014 Police K-9 Trial results follow: Obedience: first place, Officer Terry Reichart, of Exeter Township Police Department and his dog, Kaz; second place, Officer Chip Howells, Allentown Police Department and his K-9 Fedor; and, third place, Officer Katie Edgar, Worcester County Maryland Sheriff's Department and her K-9, Jonka.

Narcotics search: first place, Officer John Hutchinson, of the Reading Police Department and his dog Cody; second place, Officer Chip Howells, of the Allentown Police Department and his K-9, Fedor; third place, Officer Chris Bierley, of the Berlin (New Jersey) Police Department and his dog, Luke.

Call-off: first place, Officer Wayne Holben, of West Reading Police Department and his K-9, Fox; second place, Officer Jason Laky, of the Salisbury Police Department and his K-9 Fonzie; and third place, Officer Brian Eveland, of the Exeter Township Police Department and his dog, Nitro.

Fastest dog: first place, Officer Matt Gardner, of the Upper Macungie Police Department and his K-9, Bico; second place, Officer Terry Reichert, of the Exeter Township Police Department and his K-9, Kaz; and, third place, Officer Chip Howells, of the Allentown Police Department and his K-9, Fedor.

Tactical Obedience: first place, Officer Katie Edgar, of the Worcester County Maryland Sheriff's Department and her K-9, Jonka; second place, Officer Charlie Roca, of the Allentown Police Department and his K-9, Canto; and, third place, Officer Terry Reichart, of the Exeter Township Police Department and his K-9, Kaz.

Decoy's choice: selected by the decoys working the field events, who picked out a particular dog that stood out during the events: Officer Bethany Ramey, of the Worcester County Sheriff's Department and her dog, Karma.

Overall winner, determined by the total number of events in which a dog placed, Officer Terry Reichart, of the Exeter Township Police Department and his K-9, Kaz.

Laky also issued a special thank you to all of the local sponsors for the event.

"Their generous support allowed us to draw a total of 19 dogs for the event," Laky said.