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German shepherd K-9 joins South Fayette police
German shepherd O'Neil joins police department
K-9 works alongside Officer Alex Korkus in South Fayette
By Andrea Iglar
Like a typical dog, O’Neil loves his toy ball.
But unlike a regular pet, the 2-year-old German shepherd gets up and goes to work every day with a police officer.
Since July 31, the K-9 has accompanied Officer Alex Korkus on all his shifts with the South Fayette Township Police Department.
O’Neil is a certified service canine with three main skills. He can track the odors of people and objects, detect narcotics and apprehend suspects.
His reward for a job well done? His toy ball on a rope, along with verbal praise.
No matter the task—searching for a missing person, tracking an armed suspect, scouring a building for drugs—the dog is driven by his reward, Korkus said.
“All he knows is he’s going to work, and it’s got to be fun for him,” Korkus said. “He thinks, ‘If I do this, I’m going to get my ball, and that’s all I want.’”
Being a K-9 handler is what Korkus always wanted from police work.
“It’s already been the most rewarding thing,” he said. “It’s the best way to feel like you get something back and actually have a partner. It keeps you motivated every day, knowing the dog is relying on you.”
The South Fayette K-9 unit now includes two dogs: O’Neil and 6-year-old Ellie, a bloodhound who works with handler Sgt. Mike Wesolek.
(The dogs, by the way, have different sniffing skills. The floppy-eared bloodhound can discriminate among multiple odors, whereas the pointy-eared German shepherd can follow a single scent.)
A K-9 is trained to be under the handler’s control at all times. O’Neil can capture a suspect with a bite and hold—but only at the command of Korkus, who also tells the dog when to let go.
Normally, the handler gives a suspect verbal warnings and opportunities to surrender before ordering the dog to bite.
According to police department policy, the handler may order a bite when a suspect is placing people in serious imminent danger; when a K-9 is needed to overcome a suspect physically resisting arrest; or when a suspect is concealed in an area that would pose a threat to officers or the public.
Any dog bites must be documented and injuries promptly treated.
“Although O’Neil is capable of apprehension work, everything he does resorts back to his obedience and the commands that he is given,” Korkus said.
O’Neil was born Jan. 8, 2022, in Hungary. The police department secured the dog and the training this year through Shallow Creek Kennels, Inc. of Sharpsville, a privately owned and operated police service dog importing and training facility. The dogs are hand-picked in Europe to ensure they are healthy and suitable for law enforcement work.
Police Chief John Phoennik said the township selected a calm, mild-mannered dog that would be appropriate for engaging with the public, working in schools, patrolling at businesses and appearing at community events.
“O’Neil is a positive addition to the community,” he said. “It’s another tool we have.”
The cost for the dog and training was $16,000, offset by a $10,000 grant from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office that was secured by township Commissioner Gwen Rodi. Equipping a police vehicle for the K-9 cost $7,300. The township allocates money annually for dog food, veterinarian care and insurance.
The Illinois-based nonprofit organization Protecting K-9 Heroes donated a ballistic vest and emergency medical kit for the dog worth about $2,000.
When Korkus visited Shallow Creek in May to meet potential K-9s, he knew he wanted O’Neil the first time they went for a walk together.
“There’s some kind of little bond you form immediately,” he said.
In June and July, Korkus spent six weeks training with O’Neil at Shallow Creek, developing his relationship with the dog and learning how to issue commands in Dutch.
Korkus learned to watch for subtle changes to the dog’s tail, ears, head, speed and movements, while O’Neil tuned into his handler's words, motions and moods.
“Everything for him is my tone of voice, body language, my verbal cues,” Korkus said. “The amount of attentiveness and obedience is amazing to me.”
The duo learned how to detect heroin, cocaine, meth and other drugs (excluding marijuana); trace and follow the scents of people and objects; and seize suspects.
Officer Korkus said the training was probably the hardest thing he has experienced in his professional career, both physically and mentally.
Now, Korkus and O’Neil train twice a month with other local police dogs and handlers, and Korkus constantly practices obedience with the dog.
A K-9 tends to take on the attitude of the handler, and Korkus generally has a friendly, easygoing demeanor.
“It’s very important to have the right handler for the right dog, and I think we found that,” Phoennik said. “Officer Korkus is the perfect fit.”
Korkus has been a South Fayette police officer since May 2019.
Being a K-9 handler means committing to the dog at work, at home and for the life of the dog. German shepherds typically work for 8 to 10 years and live to be 12 to 14 years old.
Going above and beyond, Korkus built an addition to his house to give O’Neil his own room for a kennel, where the dog spends most off-duty hours napping.
Korkus does not give O’Neil the run of the house like he does his pet pooch. Instead, downtime is structured so the K-9 knows the difference between work and play.
“I’ve always been a dog person as much as the next guy,” Korkus said. “I like having pet dogs. But it is totally different doing this with him every day. He is a work dog.”
K-9 oath of office
Police Chief John Phoennik administered the oath of office to K-9 O’Neil during the South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners meeting in September.
“I don’t think it’s possible for him to raise his right paw, but we’re going to go through it anyway," Phoennik said. "This will make it official."
Officer Alex Korkus sat with the dog as the chief read the following oath:
"O’Neil, do you swear that you will lay down your life to protect all officers and expect nothing but love in return?
"You will be called on to find lost children, fugitives on the run, drugs and weapons.
"You will be the first sent in and often the last to leave.
"You are the nose and ears of your handler and will serve alongside him every day.
"You will protect and serve South Fayette Township and all of its officers and residents.
"You will uphold your duties as a police K-9, obeying each command, enforcing, serving and protecting your community and your handler to the best of your ability, and in return only ask for love and care for all of your career.
"O’Neil, congratulations, and welcome aboard."
