On Monday, January 14, Prospect Heights Mayor Nicholas J. Helmer began the swearing in ceremonies for Jim Zawlocki the new Prospect Heights Police Chief, new Deputy Chief Mark Porlier, and Sergeant Hesus Duron. All three were promoted up through the Prospect Heights Police Department.

Along with families, friends, citizens, and fellow officers were members of the LCC K-9 Police Ministry and LCC staff. K-9 Police Ministry handlers Andy Whowell with Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois), Mike and Mary Millet with Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois), K-9 Ministries staff Rich Martin with Ruthie, Dona Martin with Emma, and Megan Glowacz with Comfort Dog in Training Miriam. It was an honor to be in attendance to support our local law enforcement.

On Wednesday, January 9, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs and their law enforcement handlers visit their local police departments in honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day:

K-9 Police Ministry Dog Eddie (Peace Lutheran – Grand Island, Nebraska) visited two police departments, two sheriffs’ departments, and the local Nebraska State Patrol post to deliver thank you cards and food trays.

K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Addie and Leah (Immanuel – Danbury, Connecticut) were honored to attend a special appreciation ceremony for officers at the Danbury Police Department.

On December 30, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas), and his law enforcement handler, attended the celebration of life service for Robert "Bobby" Westmoreland.

He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and a retired police officer. It was an honor to be invited to his service and offer comfort there.

On December 24, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California) and Aaron (St. John's – Napa, California), along with their law enforcement handlers, attended the Blue Line Christmas event in Chico, California.

They spent the day with the families of law enforcement officers who lost their homes in the Camp Fire, and offered comfort to help make Christmas a little brighter for them. Please keep these brave families in your thoughts and prayers.

On December 20, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Lizzie (Trinity – Savannah, Georgia) visited the new Chatham County Sheriff's Office K-9 Training Center. Deputy Kristofek was there with her K-9 partner, Max, and they were thanked for their service to others!

On December 31, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Lizzie, along with her law enforcement handler, returned to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office to offer God's blessings for a safe and peaceful New Year's Eve.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

On Saturday, December 15, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Zippy (Trinity – Roselle, Illinois), along with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois) and Malachi (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, Illinois) attended the "Shop with a Cop" event in Wheeling, Illinois. They assisted the police officers with bringing joy to the children as they shopped for gifts to help make Christmas a little brighter for these kids in need. The officers were also thanked for their service. May God bless them all with a Merry Christmas!

On December 2nd, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Shiloh (Christ Our Savior - Dixon, Illionis) attended the annual appreciation dinner for the Illinois chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors.
 
Family, friends, and colleagues of officers who were killed in the line of duty gathered in fellowship and support of one another, and Shiloh was there to offer comfort to all.
 
May those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service and protection of others never be forgotten, and may God bless all who mourn their loss.
 
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." - Romans 12:10

On December 2nd, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Shiloh (Christ Our Savior - Dixon, IL) participated in the annual Shop with a Cop event in Dixon, IL.

Thanks to generous donations from citizens and businesses, members of the Dixon Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Illinois State Police, and other agencies helped to make Christmas brighter for many children in need.

The officers went shopping with the children so they could have some toys, and Shiloh helped to bring some joy to everyone there.

"...in humility, value others above yourselves." -Philippians 2:3

On December 6th, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), along with her law enforcement handler, delivered LCC K-9 stuffed dogs to the Greenfield Police Department.
 
The stuffed dogs will be placed in every police car, and offered to children that officers encounter in traumatic situations, so that they may be comforted.