By Gina Horan
Lady Lake Police Department Announces Loss of Retired K9 Lux
The Lady Lake Police Department is mourning the loss of retired K9 Lux, a dedicated law enforcement partner and beloved member of the department who passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 6, surrounded by his family.
Lux Von Ruffhaus joined the Lady Lake Police Department in May 2017 at just 16 months old through an unusual arrangement: a trade with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for a motorcycle, the department says. That exchange marked the beginning of a career spanning nearly six years of service to the Lady Lake community.
Trained as a full-service police K9 specializing in narcotics detection and tracking, Lux spent most of his career alongside his handler, Officer Josh Higgins. Together, the pair developed a strong partnership built on trust, loyalty and countless hours of training and service.
According to the department, Lux was credited with locating approximately 2,429 grams of marijuana, 8.6 grams of cocaine, 82.5 grams of methamphetamine and 24 grams of fentanyl. He also assisted neighboring law enforcement agencies about 42 times, extending his contributions beyond Lady Lake.
Lux officially retired on April 3, 2023, due to arthritis. While his working days had ended, his bond with the Higgins family remained as strong as ever. He shared his retirement years as a cherished family companion with Josh and his wife, Becky Higgins. For the Higgins family, Lux was far more than a police K9.
“Behind the dedicated working dog was a goofy, lovable boy with a personality all his own,” says Becky Higgins, who serves as senior town planner for the Town of Lady Lake. “Lux brought laughter, happiness and unconditional love to those fortunate enough to know him.”
The department recognizes Lux for his dedicated service, his contributions to public safety and the lasting impact he made on fellow officers and the community.
“Though Lux’s watch has ended, his paw prints will forever remain on our hearts,” Josh says.
The department’s end-of-watch message reads: “End of Watch: Nov. 6, 2026. Rest easy, Lux. Thank you for your service.”
Gina moved to Central Florida from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2021. She holds a degree in linguistics and has worked as a fashion editor, photo stylist, lifestyle columnist and food writer since 1995. She later covered travel, events, restaurants, music festivals and sports throughout Northern California, including work as a morning show host with KSAN radio and food critic for KRON Bay TV. A veteran bartender, she has worked in hospitality on and off since high school. Gina joined Akers Media in 2022 and is currently the Food and Lifestyle Editor. Her passions include travel, road trips, history books and podcasts, tasting menus and arriving in a new city without a map.
