German Shepherds Sworn In As Newest Members Of Sheriff’s Department

Three German Shepherds officially became the newest K-9 members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Thursday during a swearing-in ceremony.
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With one paw raised, the dogs took an oath to serve and protect the residents of Lake County.

The 3-year-old dogs — Dax, Diesel and Duke — stood next to their handlers at the sheriff’s office in Waukegan as County Clerk Carla Wyckoff read the oath that every K-9 officer takes.

“Do you swear to fearlessly protect the communities of Lake County from drug dealers, burglars and thieves? … To search tirelessly for a lost child or elderly loved one who can’t remember how to get home?” Wyckoff asked.

A few loud barks were taken as approval of their commitment to law enforcement and the communities they now help serve.

The ceremony was the culmination of more than a year of training for the dogs and their handlers, officials said.

“This is a good day for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office,” Lake County Undersheriff Ray Rose said. “Training is done, and Duke, Dax and Diesel are off probation.”

Last year the canines were matched with their handlers, Deputies Craig Somerville, Dwight Arrowood and John Forlenza. The three men were chosen from a pool of officers who sent in letters, resumes and participated in interviews.

“It takes a special person to do this type of work,” Rose said.

Aside from 500-hours of training sessions that the animals participate in at the TOPS Police K-9 Training Program in Grayslake, the dogs spend time with the deputies and their families, forming a bond that helps the three officers perform their duties.

“Most of his behavior is based on what he senses off me,” Somerville said of Diesel.

While at work, Diesel and the rest of the dogs are all business, officials said. But when they’re off the clock, they’re just like any other loved pet at home.

“He sleeps on the bed and thinks he’s a lap dog,” Somerville said.

Duke, Dax and Diesel do more than find drugs and missing people. Rose said the three also play a pivotal part of community policing.

A group of children from a Mundelein-based summer camp watched a demonstration that showed the three dogs’ sniffing abilities.

Rose said such interactions with the public are why he’s convinced the K-9s are great addition to the team.

“When those kids leave here they’re having good thoughts,” Rose said. “That whole mystique about what goes on at the sheriff’s office is gone because they’ve had a positive experience. To me that’s worth a million dollars.”

Another German Shepard is being trained to look for explosives, ammunition and guns, and will join the force soon.

The German Shepard breed is selected because of their intelligence and overall adaptability to the weather in the Midwest, as well as the drive and characteristics needed to fulfill law enforcement duties, officials said.

New technology that the sheriff’s office will be utilizing soon for all their dogs will help handlers protect their K-9 partners, Rose said. Through a chip that will be implanted in the dogs their handlers will be able to monitor their K-9’s body temperature. When the dogs get close to getting overheated, a signal on the deputies’ phones will alert them through an app.

Funding for the purchase and training of the three new dogs was made possible with a grant from the Libertyville-based D.A.S. Charitable Fund.

Special thanks to Yadira Sanchez Olson and The Chicago Tribune

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