Though Leroy has been working at the McCandless Police Department since 2025, the K-9 had an official swearing-in ceremony March 12 with his handler, Officer Shawn Davis, and local Daisy Troop 21955 in attendance.

District Judge Matthew J. Brungo, serving Bradford Woods, McCandless, Marshall and Pine, conducted the ceremony in his courtroom along Perry Highway in McCandless.

The local Daisy Troop, representing the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania’s NA East Service Unit, was there to learn more about K-9 Leroy and his handler, as well as the work of the police department and local court.

“The girls were so excited. They had so much fun, asked a lot of great questions to council, the police officers and Judge Brungo,” said Lauren Brungo, the troop leader.

Leroy was purchased in January 2025 from DSG K9 Training in Beaver County. He obtained his national certification, via the American Working Dog Association, at the end of April 2025, Davis said.

While the police dog has been working with Davis for more than a year, it is up to the discretion of the police agency whether to enroll a K-9, Davis said.

The K-9 duo team is certified in patrol and narcotics, so Leroy also is known as a Dual Purpose K-9, he said. Davis is the first handler for the 3-year-old dog.

The Daisy Troop enjoyed meeting the canine.

“Leroy is a social Belgian Malinois and enjoys interacting with new people. The Girl Scout troop was able to interact with Leroy,” Davis said.

The troop has members from North Allegheny elementary schools of Peebles, Hosack and McKnight, and one from the Holy Cross Academy. All are first graders.

The 16 troop members led the Pledge of Allegiance, including Brungo’s daughter, Abigail, 6, who attends Peebles Elementary School.

“This was their first field trip and first event out like this,” said Lauren Brungo, who is married to the judge.

The girls also got to tour the magistrate’s courtroom. McCandless police Chief Ryan Hawk and McCandless Council members President Trish Cloonan and Nathan Babich also joined the ceremony.

“All of the girls were really attentive and asked good questions, and it was a lot of fun to have them at the court,” Judge Brungo said.

The event helped the girls complete their requirements to earn the Respect Authority petal and Democracy for Daisies badge.

“The whole idea of badges is to help them learn they can serve others and serve their community. By visiting the court and speaking with the judge and council members they got this exposure,” Lauren Brungo said.

The girls’ next project is writing a letter to a government representative.

When given the choice between writing to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, they unanimously selected Innamorato, Lauren Brungo said. The girls plan to ask three questions about her work.