Jason Lagore Memorial Dog Park Dedicated at Caesar Creek State Park

Officer Lagore lost his life in the line of duty on February 23, 2021, while responding to a rescue call at Rocky Fork State Park. He was instrumental in establishing the first Ohio State Parks Canine Academy and trained K9 teams for various state and local agencies, participating in over 400 calls for service with his K9 partners, Sarge and Ranger.

The dedication ceremony attracted family, friends, law enforcement colleagues, and community members. Waynesville is significant to the state’s K9 operations as it was the original birthplace of ODNR’s K9 Unit when the program launched at Caesar Creek State Park in 1996.

“Jason dedicated his career to protecting Ohio’s people and places with humility, courage, and an unwavering sense of duty,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “This memorial park is a powerful reminder of the impact he had on our agency and the communities he served.”

The memorial park features include a central memorial stone with a laser etching of Officer Lagore and K9 Ranger, surrounded by tribute bricks honoring supporters of Ohio’s K9 program. Walking routes named “Sarge’s Trail” and “Ranger’s Trail” are dedicated to Lagore’s service dogs, alongside off-leash play areas for dogs and picnic facilities for families.

The park's creation was a collaborative effort involving ODNR, public donors, grant funding, and Friends of Ohio K9, Inc., a non-profit established in Lagore’s memory. Friends of Ohio K9 continues to support ODNR’s active K9 units by providing equipment, specialized training, veterinary care, and future working dogs. Today, K9 teams across Ohio’s 76 state parks are engaged in search-and-rescue missions, locating missing persons, and supporting criminal investigations.