Lady Lake police officer, K-9 partner win championship in national trials

Tarek’s bright-hazel eyes track Officer Lazaro Cabrera for the slightest hand signal or voice command that is spoken in Flemish.

A key aspect of training the 5-year-old German shepherd is to always pay attention to his handler, Cabrera, who is also his law-enforcement partner. Tarek was born and raised in Europe and became a part of Cabrera’s family when he was 2 years old. The 65-pound K-9 was named when Cabrera got him; Tarek means “morning star.”

Cabrera has been a Lady Lake police officer for almost four years, and Tarek is his second K-9 partner.

“He’s an energetic partner with a tremendous will to please,” Cabrera said. “He has so many great characteristics you look for; he’s a social dog and has extraordinary drive.”

The pair’s working relationship showcased its success when Cabrera and Tarek brought home the national championship for the second year in a row from The United States Police Canine Association’s national trials that were held this month in West Des Moines, Iowa.

The K-9 team earned 690.83 points out of 700, which is a record-breaking high score. Tarek competed against about 100 other dogs. Tarek and Cabrera competed in obedience, agility, criminal apprehension and suspect search.

“When I came into the Lady Lake program, most of my colleagues did not have much confidence in the K-9 program; and now not only did I make it a famous K-9 program, but it’s known at a national level,” Cabrera said. “That achievement is not only because of dedication and hard work, but the overwhelming support from the chief and lieutenants.”

After work, Tarek goes home with Cabrera to relax. Tarek is like any other dog at home: He sleeps, eats and plays. Sometimes, both officer and canine can be found at home on the couch watching television. Tarek is a member of the Cabrera family; in fact, Cabrera describes Tarek as his child. But even off duty the K-9 team practices and trains for day-to-day police work and for competitions.

The wins provide the department with exposure of its strong K-9 team. Other law enforcement agencies are taking note of the Lady Lake Police Department’s accomplishments, Chief Ed Nathanson said.

Tarek is an extremely intelligent dog. He is a working dog, and his main job is to track suspects of crimes, Nathanson said. The K-9 team is very successful at this, he said. The K-9 team also makes its presence known in the community through demonstrations and presentations at schools.

“Laz’s heart and soul is in this program, this is what motivates him,” Nathanson said. “Laz might be a soft-spoken man, but he is a passionate law enforcement canine handler. I am proud and honored to say he’s a member of our agency, and we look forward to partnership with him for years to come.”

Lady Lake Town Commissioner Ruth Kussard said she is impressed with the K-9 team’s achievements. Lady Lake should feel proud to have such an award-winning K-9 team because it gives the community nationwide exposure, she said.

Kussard said she always looks forward to hearing about the department’s achievements because she knows its employees are dedicated workers who deserve the recognition.

Lady Lake’s K-9 team is used for several law enforcement needs such as traffic stops and searches. For example, officers request the K-9 team at a traffic stop if a search is to be performed, Cabrera said. If Tarek finds something, he is trained to immediately sit right next to the narcotics or other contraband.

The United States Police Canine Association’s regional finals will be held in Lady Lake March 15-19, which means the area’s best K-9 teams will be competing here, Cabrera said.

The revenue generated from the competition will help enhance the department’s one-acre training facility, Nathanson said. Some of the equipment is wood, and the money would help purchase aluminum equipment.

The police department encourages residents to make donations or offer volunteer time, Cabrera said. People interested in helping the department host the competition should call 751-1560.

“The public needs to be educated on how hard it is to accomplish winning first place at nationals two years in a row,” Cabrera said. “Some people think it’s just normal or just what happens, but it’s not. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to win the award.”

By Katie Backman

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