Lake County Gazette

Today at the Illinois Capitol, State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) and the Illinois House of Representatives paid tribute to the exceptional service of Lake County Sheriff’s Police K9 Dax and his handler, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy John Forlenza. The recognition came through the adoption of House Resolution 703, with Forlenza present at the Capitol to accept the honor.

"Dax is one of the most decorated police K9s in the history of our state," remarked Rep. Weber during the ceremony. "It’s only fitting that we honor his service as we would any law enforcement officer who has done so much to save lives and protect our communities."

The partnership between Dax and Deputy Forlenza has been remarkable, credited with saving over 400 lives and making significant seizures in the fight against crime. Deputy Forlenza expressed his deep connection to Dax, stating, “Dax was a very special dog and my best friend. We will miss him deeply, but I appreciate that we have been able to honor his accomplishments and all that he has done to help protect our communities."

Over the years, Dax received several accolades for his outstanding service, including awards from prestigious organizations and recognition by the Illinois General Assembly. The decorated K9's achievements were made possible by the unwavering dedication and commitment of Deputy Forlenza, who trained and worked tirelessly with Dax.

Rep. Weber, representing the 64th House District, which covers communities in northwest Lake County and northeast McHenry County along the Wisconsin border, emphasized the importance of honoring Dax and Deputy Forlenza for their significant contributions to law enforcement and public safety.

The legacy of Dax and Deputy Forlenza serves as a testament to the invaluable role played by police K9 units in protecting communities and upholding the law.