Will County, IL – A $4,000 donation from CITGO’s Lemont Refinery will help the Will County Sheriff’s Office maintain its vital K9 Unit as it prepares for the retirement of one of its service dogs.
According to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, the funds will go toward acquiring a new K9 to succeed K9 Riggs, who is nearing retirement after years of service. The contribution ensures the department’s K9 team remains fully staffed and operational.
“Thanks to the generosity of CITGO, we will be able to keep our highly valuable K9 Unit at full strength,” said Sheriff Mike Kelley. “Since reintroducing our K9 program over a decade ago, we’ve expanded to nine teams of skilled handlers and dogs. The continued support from partners like CITGO helps us maintain this vital public safety resource.”
The Will County K9 Unit assists in narcotics detection, article searches, suspect tracking and community outreach across the county. Officials said donations like this one are key to maintaining operations and ensuring the unit’s readiness for public safety response.
CITGO representatives, including Security Manager Brian Smeltzer and Community Relations Manager Mike Jostes, joined Sgt. Jeff Pogose of the WCSO in commemorating the donation.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized its appreciation for CITGO’s ongoing support and the role corporate partnerships play in sustaining community-focused law enforcement initiatives.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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