For three years, Salisbury Police Department Canine Officer Jason Laky has been running the K-9 Trials competition at Salisbury High School to spotlight the skills of police dogs from eastern Pennsylvania and four adjacent states.

This year, Laky had a special inspiration in his efforts to raise funds for fallen police officers, their canine partners and other fallen warriors. Laky's partner for seven years, 2003 to 2010, K-9 Zeus, died Sept. 6.

Of the K-9 Trials event, held Sept. 22 at the Salisbury High School football field, Laky said, "It was a great day. All the dogs were awesome, along with their handlers.

"I would like to say, though, that my late partner, Zeus, really paved the way for all the good things that have been involved with the program. I miss him every day. This has been very hard for me over the past couple of weeks. He will forever be my partner and loyal friend.

"Zeus touched many, not just in our department, but the community as well. He was a great dog who loved everyone, especially the kids. Not a moment goes by that I do not think about him and all of the good times that we had together on and off the job.

"He has allowed Fonzie to take over and create new memories with me now, and keep me safe at work and at home," Laky said.

Laky established the Salisbury Police Department K-9 Trials competition in 2003 with Zeus as his first partner. Zeus earned numerous accolades for apprehending suspects, sniffing out hidden drugs, tracking down lost individuals and being the star of an untold number of school and community event visits during his seven years.

As is common with police canines after years of constantly jumping in and out of the back of patrol vehicles, joint problems caught up with Zeus and he was given an honorable discharge from service in 2010. Township commissioners voted to allow Laky to continue to be Zeus' caretaker even as Zeus' successor, Fonzie, took over his duties.

The two dogs lived peacefully together with Laky, but Laky recalls Zeus' wistful gaze each day as Fonzie and Laky left for their patrol duties without him.

The K-9 Trials drew police dogs from the Lehigh Valley area and from New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland. The dogs competed in events that showcased their agility, obedience and speed.

One event, the "call-off," drew excitement from the crowd in the stands at the high school stadium. Handlers of the dogs stood near the goal line on the field and gave the order to chase down a "decoy" about 50 yards away.

The "decoy" was Officer Matt Gardner of the Upper Macungie Police Department dressed in a protective "bite suit." The object of the exercise was to see which handler could allow his canine to get closest to the decoy before issuing a "call-off" command which would stop the dog from actually attacking the decoy, but to circle the decoy to keep him in check.

Canine Beny, with his handler, Matt Geake, of the Allentown Police Department, who called off his attacking canine within inches of the decoy won the "call-off" event. Laky, seeing Beny's performance, said jokingly, "We might as well just give Geake the trophy now.

Laky's partner, Fonzie, who last year was the winning competitor in the "call-off," came in second.

Fonzie also placed second in the agility event.

Another thrilling performance was the "decoy's choice" award won by K-9 Bart of The Denton, Police Department, Denton, Md. Decoy Gardner chose Bart as the hardest hitting dog in attack mode.

The overall winner for the trials was Kaz, and his handler, Patrol Officer Terry Reichert, of the Exeter Township Police Department, Reading. Kaz placed first in the obedience event and the fastest dog event, and third in a bonus event.

Laky said he expected the proceeds from this year's event to top $2,000. The total for the three events held since 2011 tops $14,000.

This year's beneficiaries for the proceeds are the Kyle Pagerly Memorial Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project. The latter benefits U.S. service men and women who have been wounded.

Pagerly was a Berks County Deputy Sheriff who was fatally shot in the line of duty in June, 2011, when a man with an AK-47 assault weapon ambushed him in a shootout in Albany Township, near Hawk Mountain. Pagerly's canine partner, Jynx, who alerted police to the assailant lying in wait in camouflage gear, grabbed Pagerly's pants leg and tried to pull him to safety after Pagerly was wounded.