K-9 Blitz sits with his handler, Brett Hinterliter, chief county detective for the Cambria County District Attorney’s office, after a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday at the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

EBENSBURG — Cambria County has a new officer, K-9 Blitz, a sable German shepherd from Belgium who was sworn into duty Wednesday morning at the Cambria County Courthouse.

Since Blitz was certified in August, he has assisted county detectives in 14 successful searches and hits on trained substances, which has led to arrests and the seizure of controlled substances, Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer said.

On the day he was certified, K-9 Blitz gave a positive signal to police during a vehicle search in Portage, which led to the arrest of a Cresson man and the seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and various pills, according to Chief County Detective Brett Hinterliter, Blitz’s handler.

If Blitz detects an odor, he sits, Hinterliter said, noting the dog’s passive behavior. An aggressive response would include K-9s sitting and scratching with their paws, he said.

“He’ll actually catch the odor of narcotics and he’ll just sit there,” Hinterliter said. “That’s the indication that tells me and then I let the officers know … there’s more than likely narcotics in that vehicle or in that house.”

Blitz was purchased and donated to the Cambria County District Attorney’s office by the Titan’s Watch Foundation of Johnstown, through the generosity and collaboration of several partners.

Strategic K-9 of North Huntingdon, under the direction of master trainer William Sombo, provided expert training for Blitz. Petland Norwin Town Square, Dr. James Takacs of Ebensburg Veterinary Clinic and Sue Konvolinka sponsored Blitz’s training and care, according to a press release.

The foundation is named in loving memory of Officer Titan, a beloved K-9 and revered member of the Johnstown Police Department who died in the line of duty, said Brett Reaman, the foundation’s founder and president.

In drug-related investigations, K-9 units play a crucial role, Reaman said, adding they’re trained to detect the odor of narcotics and provide an alert that gives law enforcement probable cause to search and seize illegal substances.

“These remarkable dogs and their handlers form an unbreakable bond — one built on trust, service and sacrifice — and they deserve every bit of support we can offer,” Reaman said.

By helping to bring Blitz into service with the Cambria County District Attorney’s office Wednesday, the foundation’s members were investing in public safety, community trust and a “proud legacy” that honors Titan, he said.

“Blitz will carry that legacy forward, serving with the same loyalty and courage that defined Titan’s life and career,” Reaman said.

Blitz’s acquisition is “extremely important” for the county, Hinterliter said, noting there’s been a “deficit” in K-9 dogs and handlers.

“They’re such an asset to the community,” Hinterliter said of the dogs. “I’ve even taken him (Blitz) over to Somerset County at their request to do exterior sniffs.”

Blitz goes to work at the courthouse with Hinterliter every day, he said, noting other courthouse employees “love to see” Blitz walking around.

“They know that he’s with me and he has a job to do up here,” Hinterliter said. “It seems like it’s lifted a lot of spirits in its own way just having the dog.”

Blitz is the first K-9 the county has owned in “a number of years,” Hinterliter said.

Picking Blitz up from the airport was “like getting a foreign exchange student,” Hinterliter said, adding, “I didn’t really know what to do. But it was actually a great car ride home.”

After the swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, Blitz appeared to be cheerful and friendly. He was tied to Hinterliter on a leash and played with his red and green-colored ball in front of a crowd of reporters and county officials.

Neugebauer said the long-term hope is that Blitz will become an integral part for Hinterliter and neighboring police departments throughout the county to have quicker and more effective drug investigations.

“He’s hit the ground running and has done really amazing,” Neugebauer said of Blitz.