K-9 Unit

Handler: Officer Steve Hughes

Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection

Began Duty: May 2018

Handler: Officer Kevin Lozano

Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection

Began Duty: July 2020

Handler: School Resource Officer Ryan Ledvina

Specialization: Therapy and Community Engagement

Began Duty: January 2023

Handler: Officer Dakota Jelinski

Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection

Began Duty: November 2023

Handler: Executive Assistant Stephanie Neises

Specialization: Therapy

Began Duty: September 2024

The La Crosse Police Department K-9 team is primarily funded by community donations. These donations are used to provide training, properly equip, feed and care for our K-9 partners. Veterinary care is graciously provided by the team at Thompson Animal Medical Center.

If you would like to donate to the La Crosse Police Department K-9 Unit, visit the La Crosse Community Foundation online donation portal. Donations made through the foundation are tax deductible.

Thank you for your support of the LCPD K-9s!

Each year the La Crosse Police Professional Non-Supervisory Association hosts the annual "Putt'n 4 Pooches" Golf Outing and Fundraiser to benefit the La Crosse Police K-9 Unit.

This event will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026 at the Fox Hollow Golf Course with registration at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Please check back this summer for golf registration and sponsorship information.

K-9 Ralph
Handler: Officer Ryan Fitzgerald (Retired) and Officer Tony LeQue
Specialization: Narcotics Detection
Duty Dates: January 2008-August 2016
EOW: April 13, 2019

K-9 Grumman
Handler: Officer Ron Secord (Retired)
Specialization: Explosives Detection
Duty Dates: November 2008-September 2017
EOW: May 2019

K-9 Brutus
Handler: Officer Casey Rossman
Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection
Duty Dates: January 2010-March 2017
EOW: August 2017

K-9 Zaback
Handler: Officer Trenton Bowe
Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection
Duty Dates: June 2013-September 2019
EOW: April 25, 2022

K-9 Luc
Handler: Officer Dakota Jelinski
Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection
Duty Dates: August 2016-September 2018

K-9 Thor
Handler: Officer Dakota Jelinski
Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection
Began Duty: December 2018
EOW: July 4, 2023

K-9 Bill
Handler: Officer Dan Ulrich
Specialization: Explosives Detection
Duty Dates: September 2017-March 2024

K-9 Loki
Handler: Officer Aaron Westpfahl
Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection
Began Duty: December 2018
EOW: November 26, 2024

K-9 Nash
Handler: Officer Riley Carroll
Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking and Apprehension, Protection
Duty Dates: November 2024-February 2026