K-9 Unit

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On Monday, September 14, 2026, the La Crosse Police Professional Non-Supervisory Association will host the 16th Annual "Putt'n 4 Pooches" Golf Outing and Fundraiser to benefit the La Crosse Police K-9 Program. The funds that are raised from this event will help to ensure that our K-9s and their handlers have the best and most up-to-date equipment and training to keep La Crosse safe.

We'd like to thank our sponsors from 2025. Please visit our "THANK YOU" page!

Looking to Donate to the Program?

Click here to make a donation through the La Crosse Community Foundation. Thank you!

Current LCPD K-9 Teams

The La Crosse Police Department K-9 Unit is currently made up of six K-9 Teams which include the handler and the canine. The Unit is primarily funded through donations and our Annual "Putt'n 4 Pooches" Golf Outing and Fundraiser (see below for details).


K-9 Zeus	Handler: Officer Steve Hughes Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection Began Duty: May 2018
K-9 Rock	Handler: Officer Kevin Lozano Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection Began Duty: July 2020
K-9 Cheddar	Handler: School Resource Officer Ryan Ledvina Specialization: Therapy and Community Engagement Began Duty: January 2023
K-9 Maverick	Handler: Officer Dakota Jelinski Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection Began Duty: November 2023
K-9 Hank	Handler: Stephanie Neises Specialization: Therapy Began Duty: September 2024

Previous K-9 Teams

K-9 Ralph	Handler: Officer Ryan Fitzgerald (2008-2012) and Officer Tony LeQue (2012-2016) 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 & Apprehension, Protection Duty Dates: January 2010 - March 2017 EOW: August 2017
K-9 Zaback	Handler: Officer Trenton Bowe Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection Duty Dates: June 2013 - September 2019 EOW: April 25, 2022
K-9 Luc	Handler: Officer Dakota Jelinski Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection Duty Dates: August 2016 - September 2018
K-9 Thor	Handler: Officer Dakota Jelinski Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & 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: Neighborhood Resource Officer Aaron Westpfahl Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection Began Duty: December 2018 EOW: November 26, 2024
K-9 Nash	Handler: Officer Riley Carroll Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection Duty Dates: November 2024 - February 2026