Deputy Wilke and K9 Rocco Earn Top Marks at Midwest Certification Event

Mahaska County Deputy Sheriff David Wilke and his K9 partner Rocco recently brought home recognition from the annual Dogs for Law Enforcement (DLE) certification seminar in Independence, Iowa. (photo provided)

Mahaska County Deputy Sheriff David Wilke and his K9 partner Rocco recently brought home recognition from the annual Dogs for Law Enforcement (DLE) certification seminar in Independence, Iowa. The duo placed second in the 2025 Midwest Iowa Narcotics Sniff-Off, a timed competition held as part of the larger recertification and training event for K9 teams.

The event, which brought together 81 K9 teams from around the Midwest, serves as an annual checkpoint for certification and skill-building. Roughly 77 of the participating teams were certified in narcotics detection, as bomb detection dogs were excluded from this specific contest.

Deputy Wilke and Rocco demonstrated their skills in multiple narcotics detection scenarios, including rooms, vehicles, open areas, and straight odor tests. Each scenario required Rocco to detect substances while ignoring distractions—a test of both the dog’s discipline and the handler’s ability to interpret alerts. Finishing just eight seconds behind first place and significantly ahead of the third-place team, Rocco’s performance highlighted the strength of the Mahaska County K9 program.

Rocco, a nearly six-year-old Belgian Malinois, is entering his working prime. He and Deputy Wilke have been partners for over three years, and they continue to train regularly to maintain and improve Rocco’s capabilities. The canine team has contributed to multiple successful drug-related investigations in Mahaska County. In addition to narcotics detection, Rocco is also trained in article recovery—such as locating discarded weapons—and suspect apprehension. To date, Rocco’s presence alone has prompted several suspects to surrender without force, underscoring his value in diffusing dangerous situations.

The Mahaska County K9 unit is funded entirely by donations from local businesses, organizations, and individuals. Veterinary care is donated by Mahaska Veterinary Clinic, and food is provided by H&S Feed. Local businesses have also supported the unit. The donated funds are managed by Mahaska County CERT and used solely for K9-related expenses such as equipment and maintenance.

Deputy Wilke emphasized that while the work is demanding, the rewards—both in law enforcement outcomes and the bond between handler and dog—make the effort worthwhile. As Police Week was observed nationally last week, the recognition serves as a timely reminder of the behind-the-scenes commitment and teamwork that K9 units bring to community safety.