K-9 Unit

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15th Annual "Putt'n 4 Pooches" Golf Outing & Fundraiser

On Monday, September 8, 2025, the La Crosse Police Professional Non-Supervisory Association is hosting the 15th Annual "Putt'n 4 Pooches" Golf Outing and Fundraiser to benefit the La Crosse Police K-9 Program. The funds 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.

Would you like to be a sponsor and donate funds or raffle items for this event? Click here for the sponsorship flyer.

Would you like to register to golf at the outing? Click here for the registration form.

For information on the fundraiser or general donation questions, please contact K-9 Unit supervisor, Sergeant Ethan Purkapile, at purkapilee@cityoflacrosse.org

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

Police Canine Zeus

  • Handler:  Officer Steve Hughes
  • Specialization:  Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Began Duty:  May 2018

K-9 Rock

Police Canine Rock

 

  • Handler: Officer Kevin Lozano
  • Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Began Duty: July 2020

K-9 Cheddar

K-9 Cheddar

 

  • Handler: School Resource Officer Ryan Ledvina
  • Specialization: Therapy and Community Engagement
  • Began Duty: January 2023

K-9 Maverick

K-9 Maverick

 

  • Handler: Officer Dakota Jelinski
  • Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Began Duty: November 2023

K-9 Nash

Grandad Bluff

  • Handler: Officer Riley Carroll
  • Specialization: Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Began Duty: November 2024

K-9 Hank

Hank

  • Handler: Stephanie Neises
  • Specialization: Therapy
  • Began Duty: September 2024

 

 

Previous K-9 Teams

K-9 Ralph

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

grumman

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

K-9 Brutus

brutus

  • Handler:  Officer Casey Rossman
  • Specialization:  Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Duty Dates:  January 2010 - March 2017
  • EOW:  August 2017

K-9 Zaback

Zaback - Edited

  • Handler:  Officer Trenton Bowe
  • Specialization:  Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Duty Dates:  June 2013 - September 2019
  • EOW:  April 25, 2022

K-9 Luc

luc

  • Handler:  Officer Dakota Jelinski
  • Specialization:  Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Duty Dates:  August 2016 - September 2018

K-9 Thor

Police Canine Thor

 
  • Handler:  Officer Dakota Jelinski
  • Specialization:  Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Began Duty:  December 2018
  • EOW:  July 4, 2023

K-9 Bill

Police Canine Bill

  • Handler:  Officer Dan Ulrich
  • Specialization:  Explosives Detection
  • Duty Dates:  September 2017 - March 2024

K-9 Loki

Loki


  • Handler:  Neighborhood Resource Officer Aaron Westpfahl
  • Specialization:  Narcotics Detection, Tracking & Apprehension, Protection
  • Began Duty:  December 2018
  • EOW:  November 26, 2024