Yara

Handler: Jeff Tegtmeyer
Breed: Dutch Shepard
DOB: 9/18/2013
Department: Arlington Heights Police Department
Function: Narcotics Detection and Patrol
Years Worked: 8/2015 – 6/2025

K9 Yara is a Dutch Shepard who was born in Holland in September 2013 and was selected to join the Arlington Heights Police Department in August of 2015 by her handler Sergeant Jeff Tegtmeyer. During her nearly decade of dedicated service Yara was deployed to over 220 calls requesting a K9 for service, participated in over 150 public demonstrations, and countless meet and greets with the citizens of Arlington Heights. Yara competed in multiple K9 Olympic events over the years, taking home many awards, including 1st Place in Tracking. Yara has assisted multiple local and federal agencies through the years and was instrumental in locating several million dollars in narcotics and drug related currency. Yara successfully tracked down and located 4 fleeing criminals, one of them hiding in a garbage can in the backyard of a residence, and another that just committed a burglary in a neighboring town. Yara also located 4 firearms that were used in the commission of a felony and discarded by the offender. Over the years Yara has developed a celebrity status in town and she will miss having her handler driving her around to all her public appearances and people taking countless pictures with her. Yara still plans to use her searching abilities in retirement, but only for snacks.