K-9 Dax, a longtime veteran of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office who recently retired from active duty due to injury, died Friday morning, according to officials.
Beginning his career in the spring of 2015, K-9 Dax attended a retirement ceremony Wednesday where officers and community members celebrated Dax’s longtime service to the area.
According to officials, K-9 Dax has helped locate more than 400 missing, endangered or fugitive criminals, while also assisting in the detection of hundreds of kilograms of illegal drugs and the seizure of cash and illegal firearms.
Dax, a member of the US Police Canine Association, has participated in several regional and national trials, receiving high honors for tracking, article searches and narcotics, among other areas.
Also familiar with the camera, Dax has appeared on several nationally syndicated television programs, including NBC’s “Today with Hoda and Jenna,” A&E’s “America’s Top Dog” and Hallmark’s “Home and Family.”
Dax has also received more than a dozen awards during his storied career, including the 2018 K9s of Valor Foundation “K-9 of the Year” Award and the 2023 Law Enforcement Medal of Honor. ‘Illinois.
On March 3, Dax suffered an injury that would require his retirement while assisting in the apprehension of a fleeing suspect.
Dax injured his neck and spine in the incident, causing temporary paralysis of his rear end, police said.
Dax was later diagnosed with cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and lumbosacral IVDD, exasperated during the incident. Dax has since regained the ability to walk through intensive physical therapy.
Dax’s veterinarians determined that he would not be able to return to active duty due to physical health reasons.
“There is no way to adequately quantify or express what Dax’s service has meant to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County community, his supporters across the country, and especially me . But I can’t help but say that his service was exemplary and, more importantly, saved countless lives, including my own. I am proud to have been his handler and best friend for the past nine years,” said John Forlenza, K-9 Dax’s partner, before Dax’s retirement.
“K-9 Dax will always hold a special place in our hearts and we are incredibly saddened by his passing. K-9 Dax will be remembered for the lives he saved, the violent offenders he apprehended, and the drugs he stopped from being distributed in our community. Please keep the Forlenza family in your thoughts and prayers,” said Sheriff John D. Idleburg.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Dax’s health had deteriorated over the past 10 days and he was in severe pain.
Deputy Forlenza, his longtime partner, took Dax Friday morning to his favorite place, the beach, before he was euthanized.
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