Lake County Gazette

K9 Dax, a police canine, has retired from the Lake County Sheriff's Office after nine years of service. The canine joined the department when he was just 13 months old.

According to a Lake County Sheriff's Office press release, K9 Dax and his partner, Deputy John Forlenza, located more than 400 missing endangered people or fleeing felons during their tenure. Dax played a significant role in locating hundreds of kilos of illegal drugs and millions of dollars that were subsequently seized. Additionally, he found dozens of firearms discarded by offenders and dozens of seized vehicles. The police canine also participated in hundreds of community and school demonstrations.

The press release further states that on March 3, K9 Dax was injured while apprehending a person who had committed several felonies. The injuries to his neck and spine caused temporary paralysis in his hindquarters. He was diagnosed with cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and lumbosacral IVDD, conditions that were exacerbated during the apprehension on March 3. Following intensive physical therapy, K9 Dax regained the ability to walk and use his hind legs.

However, according to another Lake County Sheriff's Office press release, Dax's team of veterinarians determined that he would not be able to return to active service. Sheriff John D. Idleburg accepted K9 Dax’s official retirement request from Forlenza and ordered the canine to be turned over to his partner for retirement.

Over the years, K9 Dax received numerous awards including: 2016 – Illinois House of Representatives – General Assembly Award; 2017 – ASIS International (Illinois North Shore Chapter) – Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and Chicago Crime Commission – Paws of Distinction Award; 2018 – K9s of Valor Foundation – K9 of the Year; 2019 – Lake County Board Special Recognition, The 100 Club of Chicago – Valor Award, American Humane Hero Dog – Law Enforcement Winner, Italian American Police Association – Officer of the Year; 2022 – State Senator Craig Wilcox – Certificate of Recognition, Lake County Sheriff’s Office – Commendation Award, Illinois Sheriff’s Association – Award of Merit; 2023 – Lake County Sheriff’s Office – The Sheriff’s Award of Valor, Illinois Law Enforcement – Medal of Honor, and The German Shepherd Dog Club of America – Hero Dog Award. This information was also shared in a Lake County Sheriff's Office press release.