WAYNESVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Friends of Ohio K9, Inc. officially dedicated the Jason Lagore Memorial Dog Park on Friday at Caesar Creek State Park, honoring the life and sacrifice of fallen Natural Resources Officer Jason Lagore.
Officer Lagore died in the line of duty on February 23, 2021, while responding to a rescue call at Rocky Fork State Park. A pioneer for state law enforcement, Lagore established the first Ohio State Parks Canine Academy and helped train K9 teams across state divisions and local agencies, participating in over 400 calls for service alongside his K9 partners, Sarge and Ranger.
A Memorial at the Birthplace of ODNR’s K9 Unit
Family, friends, fellow law enforcement officers, and community members gathered in Waynesville for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Waynesville holds deep significance for the state’s K9 operations, serving as the original birthplace of ODNR’s K9 Unit when the program first 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.”
Features of the new memorial facility include:
- Central Memorial Stone: A laser-etched stone depicting Officer Lagore alongside K9 Ranger, surrounded by tribute bricks honoring supporters of Ohio’s K9 program.
- Dedicated Trails: Walking routes named “Sarge’s Trail” and “Ranger’s Trail” in honor of Lagore’s service dogs.
- Recreational Amenities: Dedicated off-leash play areas for dogs and outdoor picnic facilities for visiting families.
Carrying the Mission Forward
The memorial park was built through a collaborative effort between ODNR, public donors, grant funding, and Friends of Ohio K9, Inc.—a non-profit organization founded in Lagore’s memory.
Friends of Ohio K9 continues to supply ODNR’s active K9 units with essential equipment, specialized training, veterinary care, and future working dogs. Today, ODNR K9 teams across Ohio’s 76 state parks continue to perform search-and-rescue operations, locate missing persons, and assist in criminal investigations.
