Included in that group was Marion City Police Department’s newest addition Bosco, who joined handler Patrolman Matt Creps in taking fourth in the indoor narcotics search.

The duo competed in just a couple of search competitions.  “He’s still a puppy.  We’ve only been on the street for four days.  Next year, he’ll take part in everything,” Patrolman Creps said.

Deputy Christy Utley and partner Kilo were also limited in action, taking fifth overall in the narcotics search, which is Kilo’s area of expertise.

Patrolman Norm Ratterman and Silver Bullet competed in all the trials and finished 14th overall in the Top Dog Competition.

Also competing were Deputy DJ Barron and Sig, who took home 3rd place overall in the narcotics searches.

“We’re real proud of both teams.  They’re extremely valuable assets in the department,” Lt. Duane Meadows, who is in charge of the K9 units for the Sheriff’s Department and a former handler himself, said.

Indeed, all the handlers mentioned the recent influx of drugs in the Marion area and the necessity of the K9’s.

Lt. Matt Bayles, a lead organizer for the competition in Marion and the unit commander for the Police Department’s K9’s, said, “Right now its heroin and crack but we’re starting to see meth come in more often.”