Two northwest Iowa K-9 teams are being recognized after standout performances at the 2026 K-9 Narcotics Certification Trials in Burlington.
Officer Jordan Kerr and K-9 Gus of the Rock Valley Police Department helped their regional team earn a first-place finish, teaming up with other northwest Iowa agencies in the competition. Meanwhile, Deputy Agustin Martinez and K-9 Rocky of the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office successfully passed certification and earned second place in vehicle sniffs.
The annual event brings together K-9 teams from across the state to test their abilities in real-world scenarios, including vehicle sniffs and building searches.
For both handlers, the results reflect months, and really years, of consistent training.
Deputy Martinez says that work doesn’t just happen ahead of competition.
He says even required training hours are often just the baseline.
That preparation is critical, especially considering how often K-9 units are used in the field, with the majority of calls involving vehicle sniffs.
But Martinez says the work goes beyond traffic stops and sometimes requires finding what others can’t.
While the work is serious, Martinez says Rocky’s role extends beyond the job.
For Officer Kerr, being part of the first-place team finish reflects that same commitment and sacrifice across multiple departments.
Kerr says his approach is focused on doing the job correctly, finding the odors and earning certification, rather than chasing awards, a mindset that paid off with one of the top performances at the event.
Kerr says Gus also plays an active role in the community.
Both departments say the continued success of their K-9 units highlights not only their performance in competition, but their everyday impact across northwest Iowa.
