Daily Herald opinion: Continuing honors for Dax remind us of the life-saving work of police dogs

Over the last several weeks, our reporters and those from other news outlets have covered the injuries and subsequent death of a Lake County sheriff’s police dog named Dax.

Dax, a German shepherd, was badly hurt on March 3 while apprehending a suspect in a wooded area near Zion. As he received treatment for his serious neck and spine injuries, local children sent him homemade get well cards. Ultimately, though, doctors recommended he not return to duty.

Dax’s retirement led to a special ceremony on April 10 attended by more than 250 well-wishers. News of his death sadly followed two days later.

This week, Dax’s nine years of service — alongside his handler Deputy John Forlenza — was honored at the state capitol by local representatives and the Illinois House with a House resolution.

If you aren’t an animal person, and maybe even if you are, you might have wondered whether a dog truly merits all this fuss.

Dax did — even if he might not have known what to make of it.

Police K9s do dangerous and important work well worth our accolades, admiration and respect.

And Dax was no ordinary police dog.

Dax and Forlenza were credited with saving more than 400 lives. Their efforts also led to the recovery of hundreds of kilos of illegal drugs, millions of dollars seized, dozens of firearms and much more.

Two years ago, the sheriff’s office announced that Dax helped apprehend nine people over 24 hours.

“Dax is one of the most decorated police K9s in the history of our state,” State Rep. Tom Weber of Lake Villa 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.”

Indeed, Dax’s many awards include being the six-time winner of the United States Police Canine Association Championship. He also won K9 of the year from the K9s of Valor Foundation, American Humane Hero Dog’s law enforcement award and the Chicago Crime Commission’s Paws of Distinction Award, just to name a few.

Still not convinced that this four-legged officer was a hero?

Imagine that your young child or a parent with memory issues wandered off. You would want a dog like Dax on the case.

If you were hurt, and the assailant was on the run, you’d want a diligent police dog on the suspect’s trail.

And if you, or someone you loved, worked as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy, you would want their loyal canine partner to get between them and a person who meant them harm.

Police dogs do that and more. So, yes, Dax and Forlenza are worth the fuss, in part to remind the rest of us of the important and dangerous work police dogs across the suburbs provide.