The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies Corey Larsen and Kyle Quist along with their K-9 partners Mufasa and Vader, respectively, attended the Heart of America Police Dog Association annual certification in Kansas, October 5th through the 10th.The event, which features certification competitions, was attended by 28-k9 teams from Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.

All members of the organization can submit a case for consideration of the Patrol Case of the Year award as one of their best cases for the year between certification periods. The cases are read to all members of the organization and all details such as names, departments, areas, etc., are anonymous. The members of the organization vote for the case they believe to be the best one submitted for the year.

K9 team Quist and Vader received this award for Patrol Case of the Year for an incident that occurred in Audubon County, when the K9 team was called to assist multiple agencies with a domestic situation involving a firearm. At that time, the suspect fled on foot, and K9 Vader tracked the suspect through a field. Suspect was apprehended by Vader’s bite. That subject was arrested on multiple charges after medical clearance.

Deputy Quist and K9 Vader ran a tracking distance and also won a Master Tracker award. This award is granted to one of two competing K9 teams who were considered to be the best in their certification. The judges lay similar tracks for the two competing teams of roughly a mile in length and attempt different techniques to make the K9 teams lose the track. The judges ascertain how well the K9 stayed on track and how the K9 worked on different surface conditions and terrain.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says it’s very proud of their K9 teams and the hard work they do.