The Illinois House of Representatives honored Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax and his handler this week after the canine’s retirement and sudden death last month.
State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) and the Illinois House of Representatives honored Dax and his handler, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy John Forlenza, on Wednesday.
Dax and Forlenza were honored with the adoption of House Resolution 703 commending the duo for their “honorable service and dedication to their community, the State as a whole, and the nation.”
Forlenza was present at the Illinois State Capitol for the adoption of the resolution.
“Dax is one of the most decorated police K9s in the history of our state,” Weber said. “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.”
“He was truly a special dog, but none of his accomplishments would have been possible without the dedication and determination of his handler. It is a testament to the time and constant training Deputy Forlenza put in over the years that Dax was able to achieve so much. It was my honor to recognize them both on the House floor today and thank Deputy Forlenza for his service and work with Dax,” Weber said.
Dax – a German Shepherd born in March 2014 in the Czech Republic – joined the sheriff’s office in the spring of 2015. He was 13 months old when he joined the team.
Following nearly 10 years of service, Dax’s retirement was announced on April 4 and a public retirement ceremony was held on April 10.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced Dax’s death on April 12, just two days after the ceremony.
“While K9 Dax’s legacy will forever live on, this morning K9 Dax passed away,” Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said at the time.
Covelli told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that Dax’s recovery since his injury in March had been “up and down.”
“But over the last ten days, it’s been going downhill. The last 30 hours he was in a lot of pain,” Covelli said.
Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said Dax will “always hold a special place in our hearts, and we are incredibly saddened by his passing.”
“K9 Dax will be remembered for the lives he saved, violent offenders he apprehended, and drugs he kept from being distributed in our community. Please keep the Forlenza family in your thoughts and prayers,” Idleburg said.
Dozens of community members attended the retirement ceremony, some even bringing their own dogs.
Covelli said during the ceremony that Dax and his handler have located over 400 missing endangered people.
“There’s no doubt this equates to over 400 lives being saved by this canine, Canine Dax,” Covelli said.
Dax has located some of society’s most violent fleeing criminals, Covelli said just before Dax began barking. “He’s still got it in him,” Covelli joked as the crowd began laughing.
Covelli said the canine recovered hundreds of kilos of illegal drugs, assisted with the seizure of millions of dollars, recovered dozens of firearms discarded by offenders, assisted with dozens of seized vehicles and has participated in hundreds of community and school demonstrations.
“It’s hard to travel anywhere in the United States and meet somebody who hasn’t heard of Canine Dax from here in Lake County,” he said.
Dax received dozens of awards and recognition, including from elected officials and nationwide organizations.
During the canine’s career with the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA), he competed in several regional and national trials across the country.
Dax earned numerous top finishes in the areas of tracking, article searches, narcotics, suspect searches and protection.
He won six USPCA Regional Championships and earned two Tracking Exceptional Certifications.
Dax also appeared on numerous local and national news stations, including Fox Nation, NBC, A&E Network and ESPN.
Forlenza spoke during the retirement ceremony and reflected on Dax’s career, including Dax’s first apprehension of a felony domestic battery suspect who fled on foot in North Barrington in 2015.
“He found the offender hiding behind a tree. Dax started to bark aggressively — go figure. Something he has obviously excelled in,” Forlenza said as Dax barked during the ceremony.
“The offender gave up. I remember being so proud of him looking back and I could tell he was proud of himself also,” Forlenza said.
Dax’s handler said he never anticipated that his first find in the woods would be the start of a career where Dax would go on to locate hundreds of violent offenders, subjects in mental crisis, lost children and elderly subjects.
Forlenza thanked the community for all of the cards, letters, care packages and well-wishes as Dax worked to recover from his recent injury.
“I want you all to know the special role you have played in Dax’s career and his rehabilitation,” Forlenza said.
The canine was injured on March 3 while apprehending a person who had committed several felonies and was fleeing near Zion.
Dax injured his neck and spine, which resulted in temporary paralysis in his hindquarters.
He was later diagnosed with cervical and thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and lumbosacral IVDD exasperated during the apprehension, Covelli said.
Dax went through intensive physical therapy following the injury, which allowed him to regain the ability to walk and use his hind legs.
Covelli said Dax’s team of veterinarians determined he would not be able to return to active duty for his physical well-being.