K-9 Unit
The Loves Park Police Department K-9 Unit is a specialized component of the Patrol Division that provides valuable resources to enhance public safety and support law enforcement operations throughout the community. Working alongside their handlers, police dogs assist with narcotics detection, tracking, building and area searches, evidence recovery, and the apprehension of criminal suspects.
Each canine team undergoes extensive training and State certification before entering service and continues to train on a weekly basis to maintain the skills necessary to respond to a wide variety of situations. Their unique abilities help officers locate evidence, find missing or fleeing individuals, and safely resolve incidents that might otherwise place officers or the public at greater risk.
For more than three decades, the Loves Park Police Department's K-9 Program has played an important role in protecting the community. Today, that tradition continues through the department's dedicated canine teams and the strong partnerships they share with their handlers.
Breed: Belgian Malinois / Dutch Shepherd Mix
Origin: Belarus
Handler: Officer Luke Limberg
K-9 Blitz is a dual-purpose patrol and narcotics detection dog who serves alongside Officer Luke Limberg, a member of the Loves Park Police Department since 2016. The team completed an intensive multi-week training program at F.M. K-9 in Berrien Center, Michigan, followed by State certification before joining the Patrol Division in April 2019.
Blitz is deployed on average more than 20 times each month and is trained in narcotics detection, building and area searches, evidence recovery, tracking, officer safety, and criminal apprehension. To maintain peak performance, Blitz and Officer Limberg participate in ongoing weekly training.
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Handler: Officer Matt Anderson
K-9 Koal is a dual-purpose patrol and narcotics detection dog partnered with Officer Matt Anderson, who has served with the Loves Park Police Department since 2020. After completing an intensive multi-week training course at F.M. K-9 in Berrien Center, Michigan, and receiving State certification, the team joined the Patrol Division in April 2021.
Koal is deployed on average more than 20 times each month and is trained in narcotics detection, building and area searches, evidence recovery, tracking, officer safety, and criminal apprehension. Like all members of the K-9 Unit, Koal and his handler continue weekly training to maintain their skills.
My name is Mango, and I’m the K9 Therapy Dog for the Loves Park Police Department. I’m here to spread smiles, comfort, and a little extra love throughout our community. Stick around to follow my adventures and of course, enjoy plenty of cute dog photos.
The Loves Park Police Department's K-9 Program was established in 1992 by former Chief and Mayor Darryl Lindberg. At the time, no police department in Winnebago County operated a canine unit. As illegal drug trafficking increased across the country, the department expanded its efforts by adding a K-9 program to complement its participation in the State-Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT).
K-9 Rico (2012–2019)
K-9 Rico, a German Shepherd from Czechoslovakia, entered service in 2012. Rico continued the department's tradition of dual-purpose canine work, assisting with narcotics detection, building searches, area searches, and locating fugitives and missing persons. Rico retired in March 2019 and remained with his former handler following his dedicated years of service.
K-9 Nory (2002–2012)
Following Leri's service, K-9 Nory, a Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands, joined the department in April 2002. As a dual-purpose patrol dog, Nory assisted officers with narcotics investigations, building searches, area searches, fugitive apprehensions, and locating lost persons. Nory faithfully served the community until retiring in July 2012 and spent retirement with his handler.
K-9 Leri (1992–2001)
The department's first police dog was K-9 Leri, a German Shepherd from Budapest, Hungary. During more than nine years of service, Leri played a key role in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs valued at over $500,000, assisted with more than 200 search warrants and building searches, and helped remove drug assets from criminal organizations. After becoming ill, Leri passed away in September 2001 while still assigned to the Patrol Division and was laid to rest on City property near the police department.