German Shepherd

Every year, the American Kennel Club
presents its Award for Canine Excellence to dogs who
"enrich, inspire or contribute to the lives of individuals and communities".

Awards are given out in 5 categories: Exemplary Companion Dog (ECD),
Law Enforcement (LAW), Search and Rescue (SAR),
Service (S), and Therapy (T)

Five German Shepherds have received these awards. Here are their stories:

Reno
2005

LAW

Justice
2004

LAW

Ocala, Florida   Justice, a 5-year-old German Shepherd, is a shining example of what today's Law Enforcement dog must embody. He possesses the versatility to handle rough and dangerous situations, yet is gentle enough to interact with children. In 2002, Justice became the devoted partner of Deputy Brian Litz of the Marion County Sheriff's Office, acting as a full service patrol dog trained in suspect apprehension, handler protection, tracking, building searches, evidence recovery, and area searches.

The first year the team began working together, Justice earned national certification from the United States Police Canine Association for explosive and bomb detection. In just two years the team's imposing record included over 3,000 calls to service, close to 500 arrests, 53 suspect apprehensions, 15 bomb searches, and 27 public demonstrations.

Tragically, in February of 2004, while responding to what at first appeared to be a routine call, Deputy Litz was shot and killed as Justice watched helplessly from inside the patrol car. His canine partner participated in all aspects of the funeral. Justice is now formally retired and living with Deputy Litz’s wife and son, serving them with the same pride and excellence with which he always dedicated himself to his partner.

Ordi
2003

LAW

O'Fallon, Missouri   Ordi, a 7-year-old male German Shepherd Dog and his partner, Sgt. Tom Otten, have worked as a team for the O'Fallon, Missouri Police Department for over six years. Ordi, who is cross-trained in patrol work and narcotics detection, has had a stellar career, assisting the local drug task force and FBI by helping to seize over $100,000 worth of assets.

This amazing canine won the 2000 United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) "Catch of the Quarter" and "Catch of the Year" and consistently scored so well in USPCA competitions that he won the top obedience trophy three times and was honored as their Top Dog for two consecutive years. Ordi was further honored by his local American Legion Post as 2002 Officer of the year and was the recipient of a community service award by one of the many grade schools Ordi and Sgt. Otten visit regularly. Ordi has warmed the hearts of thousands of children and adults by participating in over 300 public demonstrations.

Sadly, Ordi is losing his vision from progressive retina atrophy and is forced to retire at the end of this year. After learning about Ordi's vision problems, Sgt. Otten and Ordi began visiting the children at the Missouri School for the Blind, who were overjoyed to meet this special canine up close and personal. To raise money for the school, Ordi and his partner entered an Iron Dog Race. Despite the odds, they placed fourth out of 57 canine teams. As his Law Enforcement career comes to a close, Ordi continues to serve his community by demonstrating to students what can be accomplished through perseverance in the face of adversity.

Pepper
2003

SAR

Croyden, Pennsylvania   Pepper, a 13-year-old male German Shepherd Dog who served as a highly successful search and rescue dog, began life inauspiciously as the runt of the litter. He has not only brought joy and companionship to his owners, Richard and Myrna Goodwin, but has provided an invaluable service to society.

Pepper and Richard Goodwin have worked with local police and fire departments and with New Jersey and Pennsylvania State Police in many high-profile searches for young children, Alzheimer patients and drowning victims. With numerous “finds” to his credit, Pepper has been the subject of many newspaper articles and is possibly the most photographed dog in his community. Pepper has reunited families and for others he helped to bring closure to tragic events.

Pepper's exemplary career, which spanned 12 years, came to a close only after a heart condition forced him to retire from West Jersey Search and Rescue. While Pepper is retired from that career, he continues to work as a therapy dog and is a 10-year veteran of Comfort Caring Canines. Pepper and his owners were instrumental in starting a therapy program at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia. His wonderful personality and ability to make people feel relaxed and comfortable has not just served him well as a therapy dog, but was especially prized in the stressful situations that exist for all those who are involved in search and rescue work.

Appollo
2001

LAW

Long Island, New York   Appollo is a New York State-certified police dog trained for gun recovery, urban search and rescue, and that most grisly of K-9 activities, cadaver searching. He joined the force in 1994 as the partner of Police Officer Peter Davis, who, like all members of NYPD K-9, has custody of his dog 24 hours a day, at home and at work. In their time together, the partners have built a close personal bond and an impressive record of public service.

Appollo's career highlights include: An hour-and-a-half search in a Bronx "chop shop" (a garage where stolen cars are dismantled) that yielded three suspects cowering under a pile of auto parts; flushing out three gun-wielding bad guys from a Brooklyn apartment house; and recovering a gun used by a bank robber in a shoot-out with police. 

Appollo is certified by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) for search-and rescue work at disaster sites. In pursuit of this grim work, Davis and Appollo have answered the call of duty everywhere from the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 to the Dominican Republic, where they were dispatched in the wake of Hurricane George. Most recently, Appollo worked tirelessly at the site of the second World Trade Center bombings on September 11, 2001. "What makes Appollo a stand-out for 2001 is his recent elevation to a Level-1 certification for FEMA search and rescue," says Lt. Dan Donadio, who reminds us that there are only 25 Level-1 dogs nationwide.

Donadio concludes, "Appollo is a formidable crime fighter and a cherished public servant. At 9 years of age, he's still the leader of the pack."

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