3 new Lake sheriff deputies sworn in - by raising their paws
With a resounding bark, the Lake County sheriff's office's three new deputies were sworn in during a ceremony Thursday.
Duke, Diesel and Dax, the office's newest K-9 members, were awarded badges. Each had to raise their right paw during an oath and bark to acknowledge they understood their duty during the swearing in ceremony in Waukegan.
"This is a good day for the Lake County sheriff's office," Undersheriff Raymond Rose said. "We put them to work already, and they have been very successful."
A student contest was held in late January to generate names for the dogs. In all, 657 names were nominated by 31 Lake County middle schoolers, Rose said.
The K-9 handlers had final say in selecting names for the dogs.
The dogs were trained in obedience, tracking, narcotics and search during an eight-week course at TOPs Kennels in Grayslake, The purchase and training of the dogs were funded by a grant from the D.A.S. Charitable Fund, a Lake County group that supports organizations that seek to preserve and advance animal life.