Alli, Cambria Township's newest addition, completing a search with his partner—Officer James McGough—for his graduation from training.

Fran Decker of Decker Diamond Jewelers with Cambria Township Police Officer James McGough and the department's newest addition, Alli, after the graduation.

Fran Decker of Decker Diamond Jewelers presents the Cambria Township Supervisors a check to fit the bill for the purchase of Alli, a german shepherd police canine, that has joined the department's roster.  Pictured are supervisor Pete Berkosky, Fran Decker, Officer James McGough, Alli and supervisor Robert Shook.

Mountaineer-Herald - July 31, 2008

Cambria Township K-9 Unit Now In Action

Anywhere Cambria Township Police Officer James McGough goes, his partner Alli now goes too.  McGough and his German shepherd partner have been working their shifts, while continuing training courses locally since graduating from the six-week police canine training course in Ohio. "We're doing continued training with a group in Johnstown," McGough said, noting that the group meets twice a month.  "Alli is with me every time I'm working." 

McGough and Alli completed their training in patrol narcotics at the Von Der Hauf Gill, where the township also purchased the dog, which is owned by Al and Susan Gill in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  According to McGough, through the training course, he and Alli have been certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association, Ohio Law Enforcement Canine Association, National Association of Police Canine Handlers and American Police Canine Association. 

McGough has had a large amount of support from Cambria Township, the residents and business owners of the community, especially Fran and Dan Decker of Decker Diamond Jewelers, who presented the idea to the township and donated the money for the purchase of the dog.  That support was shown when a group from the Cambria Township including Fran Decker and the supervisors traveled to Ohio to see the duo's graduation.  "It's amazing what they teach them in six weeks," Decker said.  "You just don't think of it."  Decker was amazed at what the training did for the dog and McGough, as a handler.  "If I hadn't gone to graduation, I wouldn't have gotten the full take on it all," Decker said.  "It was really intense.  They have to be very devoted and to make this work, the officer must be fully devoted." 

McGough said that the training and workouts were very intense with the days sometimes beginning at 3:30 a.m. and not ending until 8 p.m.  For McGough, seeing the support group at graduation was very important.  "It was great to have their support, and really great that they have interest," he said.  "Graduation showed them a little more of what it means to have a K-9 unit."

Decker presented the idea to the township last year and has received full cooperation with McGough and the Board of Supervisors on the effort.  She is excited about the support and cooperation that was given by the township.  "I want to thank the supervisors for being so much in agreement with this," Decker Said.  "They couldn't have been any better.  The cooperation is tremendous with Cambria Township."  Decker said, though, that it was her customers at Decker Diamond Jewelers that have allowed for the township to receive such a gift.  "It if wasn't for our customers, we couldn't have done this," she said.  "That's the bottom line."