Corporal Joshua Wickline and K9 Nala: two sidekicks with an amazing tracking story

SMITHERS, WV (WVNS) – Corporal Joshua Wickline has seen his fair share of action in his now 5 years of service.

His hard work paid off, being named “favorite law enforcement officer in the county” several times by his peers and the people he serves.

Recently, Wickline decided to try his hands with something new: working with the K9 unit.

Wickline said it was an interesting experience given the recent training and getting accustomed to the new role.

“You have to do a physical test and you have to go through an interview board. I was able to pass all of those and got selected for the K9. I went to K9 school up in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania with Shallow Creek Kennels. I was there for a little over a month.”

Corporal Joshua Wickline, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

But Wickline did not train alone. He had along his new sidekick, a German Shorthaired Pointer name Nala.

Over the course of a year, Wickline and Nala had already made several successful busts, including several felony drug arrests.

A few weeks ago, they had arguably their most amazing feat yet.

Wickline and Nala were able to find a missing elderly person after he had been missing for six hours in the woods.

“I got there and spoke to the wife and just asked where he might have last been seen. She gave me a roundabout idea of where he was, and I brought her to the area. I gave her search command, and she took off right away, was on the track, and basically had no issues.”

Corporal Joshua Wickline, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

After nearly a 700 yard search, Nala was able to track the missing person to an old hunting shelter.

This marked Wickline’s first successful track and definitely his longest one yet.

When asked about Nala’s future, Wickline said he hopes she can provide another 8 to 10 years of service for the department.

“I just hope we have a long career together and get as many years as we can out of her as a working dog. And of course, once she retires, she’ll be a house dog with my other dogs.”

Corporal Joshua Wickline, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

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