Behind the Badge
The surfer leisurely paddled until he noticed four sharks surround him. Then, he started to panic.
Just in time, four K-9s from the Newport Beach Police Department descended on the sharks, ripping at their fins and saving the surfer.
Only at the 27th annual Orange County Police Canine Association K-9 demonstration would such an odd scene make any sense.
The scenario was the Newport Beach Police Department’s skit as part of the event Saturday night, which drew more than 4,000 people to Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
K-9 “lifeguards” attacks a shark during a JAWS skit, part of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The OCPCA every year holds a K-9 exhibition that includes demonstrations, the Toughest Dog Competition, helicopter displays and a firework show.
“The thing that is cool about this is that although it’s a competition, we’re all out here for the same thing and we all support each other,” said Westminster PD K-9 handler Travis Hartman, whose dog Pako was a crowd-favorite. “It’s great that the audience gets to have exposure to these K-9s and that these dogs get recognized for all their hard work and dedication.”
The Oct. 3 event is the association’s largest fundraiser for the year, with the money raised going toward the families of fallen officers, medical care for retired K-9s, replacing K-9s and providing K-9 training for various departments.
Westminster PD Officer Travis Hartman gets ready to release his K-9 partner Pako during competition for the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
In addition to NBPD’s clever skit, Anaheim’s take on a Top Gun theme drew heavy applause from the crowd as their K-9s, with foam wings strapped to their backs, went after agitators dressed as targets.
An officer posing as a bad guy runs during a Top Gun skit, part of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An officer posing as a bad guy runs during a Top Gun skit, part of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Cypress and La Habra poked fun at their public safety counterparts as they released their K-9s on agitators dressed as firefighters, including one taking selfies while working out and another washing a fire truck.
La Habra PD Officer Amsony Mondragon gives a demonstration with his new K-9 partner Renzo during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
After each agency showcased their dogs’ talent for finding and apprehending the bad guys, the association put the dogs up against each other in the Toughest Dog Competition.
Each handler sent their K-9s bounding toward a man wearing a special suit designed to soften the impact of the bite.
The crowd yelled as the K-9s launched toward the agitator, with K-9 Conan from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department earning the loudest cheers and, ultimately, the Toughest Dog title.
“He’s a hard-hitting dog who likes to jump high,” said handler Deputy Ryan Buhr. “He got a really good hit and the audience liked that.”
Orange County Sheriff Deputy Ryan Buhr gets ready to releases his K-9 partner Conan during competition for the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Conan, wearing a Batman T-shirt that he sported during the comic-book themed skit the OCSD put on, was awarded a Toughest Dog pillow and bragging rights for the next year.
Orange County Sheriff Deputy Ryan Buhr walks off the field with his K-9 partner Conan after winning the competition for the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
After the competition ended, the crowd was invited down to the field to meet the K-9s and their handlers.
People swarmed and waited patiently to snap photos with each agency.
Three-year-old Jonah Vickers bounced around to pet each K-9, his mom chasing close behind him.
“With all the negativity about law enforcement, you have to teach people about the positive,” Orange resident Michelle Vickers said. “It’s really good to come here so that the children see the positive. Plus, it’s fun.”
Yorba Linda resident Walt Galli said Cub Scout Pack 897 has been coming to the annual show for the last six years in part, to be entertained, but to also educate the children about police dogs.
“You always see the K-9 car and if you walk by and hear the dog barking, you don’t really understand anything about the dog,” Galli said. “We’ve learned about what they do, their home life and the after-care.”
“It’s been a real eye-opener for our community and our boys.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids with their “attack” dogs get ready for their skit the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer Brett Klevos leads the K-9 officers entering the stadium with his dog Guenther at the start of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
K-9 officers from various departments including Fullerton, Orange County Sherifs and Westminster line up on the field for the start of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
US Marines and the La Habra PD’s Color Guard stand at attention during the playing of the National Anthem at the start of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fullerton PD Officer Tim Haid works with his K-9 partner Rotor during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A K-9 barks from on top of a Newport Beach lifeguard truck during a JAWS skit, part of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An Anaheim PD Angel helicopter hovers over Glover Stadium to a cheering crowd during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
K-9 “lifeguards” attack the sharks during a JAWS skit, part of the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An Orange County Sheriff helicopter hovers over Glover Stadium to a cheering crowd during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An Orange County Sheriff helicopter passes over Glover Stadium during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Officer RJ Young releases his K-9 partner Halo during competition for the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
K-9 Officer Riggs grabs onto a “bad guy” during competition as Tustin PD Officer Eric Kent comes up to retrieve his dog during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim. The Batman costume was from a previous skit.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fireworks go off overhead as K-9 patrol cars use their code-3 lights to light up Glover Stadium during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fireworks go off overhead as K-9 patrol cars use their code-3 lights to light up Glover Stadium during the OCPCA’s 27th Annual Police K-9 Benefit Show in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
