Retired K-9 Unit
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.