Two Lake County Sheriff’s Office canine teams have earned top honors and qualified for national competition after competing in the 2026 United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 5 Certification Trials, Patrol Dog Trial, and Detection Dog Trial.
Deputy John Forlenza and K9 Lux, and Deputy Kevin Harris and K9 Zeus, represented the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at the regional event in Evansville, Indiana, hosted by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, said Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli.
Covelli said 26 canine teams from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio participated in the regional competition.
The regional trials are scored events that test a canine team’s proficiency, reliability, and performance in real-world law enforcement scenarios.
Both canine teams from Lake County successfully certified in Patrol Dog 1, which measures obedience, evidence search, suspect search, and apprehension.
They also are certified in cadaver detection, narcotics detection and tracking, Covelli said.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 Lux, along with Forlenza, delivered an exceptional performance, earning First Place Overall Patrol Dog and capturing first-place finishes in obedience, evidence search, suspect search, criminal apprehension, criminal apprehension with gunfire, and tied for first in narcotics detection vehicle searches.
K9 Lux also completed detection dog certifications in narcotics detection room searches, tracking and cadaver detection, Covelli said.
K9 Zeus also finished extremely strong, earning second-place finishes in overall patrol dog, suspect search, and combined search.
Zeus also took third place in criminal apprehension and obedience.
As a result of their performances, both canine teams qualified to compete at the 2026 USPCA National Patrol Dog Trials, scheduled to be held in Abilene, Texas, in September.
“These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and countless hours of training invested by Deputy Forlenza, Deputy Harris, K9 Lux, and K9 Zeus,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. “While we are proud of their success at this competition, these results also reflect the strength of our entire K9 Unit.”
He added, “Every day, our canine teams make a tremendous impact throughout Lake County, from helping protect children and other vulnerable victims, to keeping community events safe through explosive detection, locating missing and endangered people, and apprehending dangerous offenders. We are proud of our entire K9 Unit and look forward to seeing Lux and Zeus represent Lake County on the national stage.”