HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Kominski sounded like any average dog-owner as he walked Manfred, a 2-year old German Shepard, around Honesdale’s Central Park this Thursday morning. 

“Hey, don’t go in there! Oh, and you stepped on a flower. You’re killing me, Manfred.” 

But Manfred is hardly an average canine, in fact, he’s Wayne County’s newest K9 sheriff’s deputy. 

Following six weeks of training, Kominski and Manfred are certified to detect narcotics, track lost or fleeing subjects, perform searches and apprehend suspects, according to a press release. 

Sheriff Mark Steelman said that adding a dog to the team has been a long-time goal of his. Last year, when Kominski showed interest in pursuing the idea, the Sheriff’s Department worked with District Attorney Patrick Robinson to make it a reality. The county was able to fundraise for Manfred’s training through the Forfeiture Fund instead of taxpayer dollars. 

The weeks of hard work paid off for Kominski and Manfred both at this week’s Wayne County Commissioners meeting, where Sheriff Mark Steelman officially swore them in. 

Steelman said that since Manfred’s arrival in July, he has gotten along very well with the rest of the deputies.“We always have a box of frosted paws in the freezer,” he said. 

Steelman also called Manfred a “great asset” to the team and said his skills have already been put to work.

“He’s had, within the past 10 days, a couple positive and successful assists to law enforcement,” he said. 

District Attorney Patrick Robinson was also present to see Kominiski and Manfred sworn in. He was optimistic that Manfred will help reduce the level of drug dealing and drug-use in the county. 

“Manfred the K9, standing alone, is certainly not a solution to Wayne County’s drug issues, but he is a tool that will be of great value in apprehending drug dealers in Wayne County,” he said. 

Following the ceremony, Wayne County Commissioner Wendell Kay remarked, “I think anyone who has gotten to meet or see Manfred will agree, we’re happy to have him on our side.”