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Jan 10, 2025

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Our Malinois at Work!!!

Springfield police officer Jeff Coker and his partner Kilo placed first this past weekend in a competition that tested their crime-fighting skills against other canine teams.

For Kilo, a 3-year-old Belgium Malinois, the competition was just another day at the office.

“He’s very high intensity. He loves to work,” Coker said. “You want that high drive. You want a dog that doesn’t want to quit.”

Coker and Kilo were one of 21 canine teams from across Illinois and Missouri that competed in the USPCA Region 16 Canine Certification. The event, hosted by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, was held at Spartan Park in Chatham.

There were competitions in evidence recovery, suspect searches, agility and obedience.

Coker and Kilo placed first overall and finished second in the evidence search.

Sangamon County Deputy Brian Stapleton and partner Zaso finished second in agility and third in obedience, which enabled them to place third overall.

Stapleton also organized the weekend competition.

Kilo is trained as a dual-purpose dog, which means he can search a vehicle for hidden drugs, track suspects, and even detain an arrestee.

After hours, Kilo lives with Coker and his family.

“He’s very good with the family,” Coker said.

Coker and Stapleton were among five local teams that qualified for a national competition later this year. The other teams are Ron Howard and Jax, Tim Day and Thor and Ryan Machin and Arko, all with the Springfield Police Department.

Day and Thor finished fist in both evidence and suspect searches. Howard and Jax finished second in obedience and fifth overall.

First-place team honors also went to Coker, Day and Howard.

Machin was grouped with Sangamon County Deputy Coroner Bill Russell and his dog, Apex, and Officer Dave Heine from Granite City. They collectively finished third in the team competition.