Behind every successful child exploitation investigation is a team willing to do difficult work that most people never see. Sometimes, that team includes four legs and an extraordinary nose.
For Detective Jeffrey Winiarski of the Janesville Police Department and his Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9, Maui, protecting children has become a shared mission, one that recently earned statewide recognition.
At the 2026 Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Conference in Appleton, Detective Winiarski was named the 2026 Wisconsin ICAC Investigator of the Year, an honor recognizing his outstanding commitment to investigating crimes against children and supporting child survivors across Wisconsin.
Since becoming a detective in 2022, Winiarski has led numerous child exploitation investigations. In 2025 alone, his work resulted in multiple arrests and convictions, bringing offenders to justice and making communities safer. These efforts were assisted by Winiarski’s ESD K9 partner, Maui, who is trained to locate hidden electronic devices that may contain critical digital evidence.
Whether it’s a cellphone tucked inside a wall, a USB drive concealed in a piece of furniture, or other storage devices deliberately hidden from investigators, Maui’s specialized skills help ensure vital evidence isn’t left behind.
Together, Detective Winiarski and Maui have supported dozens of search warrants conducted by the Janesville Police Department as well as various other law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin. In addition to assisting with search warrants, the team offers support to survivors, their families, and other members of law enforcement who are working on these difficult cases. The team also serves as an advocate for internet safety in the community, educating children about the dangers that lurk in the shadows of the web, how to avoid them, and what to do when they encounter something suspicious.
An Award-Winning Team
For Detective Winiarski, the title of 2026 Wisconsin ICAC Investigator of the Year, is recognition he shares with his K9 partner. He reflects on the award:
This last week I was awarded the ICAC Investigator of the Year in the State of Wisconsin.
Being able to work with Maui on search warrants (my own cases or other agencies around the State), sitting with victims and their families, or providing internet safety talks with children helped push me.
I can’t thank Our Rescue enough for providing Maui and the funding to be successful.
Our Rescue knows the value that an ESD K9 can bring to the departments and communities they serve.
“The ESD K9s we sponsor and deploy to the field are force magnifiers in the fight against child exploitation,” said Derek Benner, CEO of Our Rescue. “Specialized resources like Maui are a powerful tool for uncovering the digital evidence that criminals leave behind.”
Benner added, “Awards like this recognize exceptional service. They represent countless hours spent pursuing justice, comforting survivors, and assisting fellow investigators, leaving no evidence undiscovered.”
Congratulations to Detective Jeffrey Winiarski on this well-earned honor, and to Maui, whose remarkable work continues to make a lasting impact on the fight against child exploitation.
