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WIU alumna Meg Krase and Walter
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WIU Alumna and Canine Partner Honored for Work with First Responders

April 11, 2023

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MACOMB, IL – Along with her law enforcement partner who goes by just one name, "Walter," a Western Illinois University law enforcement alumna has been honored by a state organization that provides mental health support for first responders and their families.

Meg (Cooney) Krase, a 2009 WIU graduate with degrees in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and Spanish, and a social worker for the Carpentersville Police Department, was honored last week by the 100 Club of Illinois during its 100 Club Valor Awards ceremony.

The organization presented Krase and her canine partner, an American Fox Hound named Walter, with the Lieutenant Rich Kozik Memorial Award. The award is presented to someone who goes "above and beyond in their role as a public servant to honor our fallen heroes and the first responder community." Kozik was a lieutenant in the Illinois State Police Motor Unit, and the award is presented in his name to someone who has continued his history of service.

Krase joined the Carpentersville Police Department in 2019, after receiving her master's degree in social work. She and Walter work with victims of violent crimes, as well as supporting the mental health needs of first responders.

"We respond after critical incidents like the Highland Park shooting or line of duty deaths to support first responders, officers and their families," Krase said.

Walter joined the Carpentersville Police Department in Fall 2021 after being on Krase's 10-year wish list for her job. In September 2021, Krase went to Florida and was paired with Walter for basic training.

Walter came from a Florida chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which rescues stray dogs, and was given to the Brevard County Paws and Stripes program in Florida, which matches dogs with county jail inmates for training as working dogs.

Sporting a badge on his harness, Walter works with Krase in a variety of situations, including forensic interviews with children and emergency situations involving first responders.

"It is amazing to see how much he has helped kids in uncomfortable situations," said Krase. "He is like a giant fidget spinner and helps reduce re-traumatization."

The pair also goes into elementary schools on a rotating schedule where students spend time reading books to Walter.

Walter lives with Krase and her husband, Chris Krase, a 2010 WIU LEJA graduate, and travels to the police department with her every day. Once his retirement date comes, the couple can purchase Walter for $1 from the police department so he can continue to live with them.

Krase said 28 police departments in northern Illinois have canine therapy dogs who respond to critical incidents. She hopes to expand the department's social work program so it can accept interns.

Krase said she came to WIU with a goal of being a police officer, but jokes that she realized she "wasn't good at following orders."

"I chose WIU because my aunt (Cathy Early) lives there, but also because for law enforcement there is no place better to go," she said.

Krase's interest in the broader law enforcement field came after she walked in on an armed robbery at a corner store near her home when she was in eighth grade.

"I fell in love with the law enforcement process," she said.

For more information about the LEJA program at WIU, visit wiu.edu/LEJA.

Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing