Lake County police dog nominated for top honor

After receiving the 2019 K9's for Valor award as the top police dog in the United States, Lake County Sheriff's Department Officer Dax has been nominated as the 2019 National Law Enforcement K9 of the Year by The American Humane Hero Dog Awards.

The award will be given based on votes from the public. Here is the Hero Dog Awards' summary of achievement for Dax.

Dax began his successful career with the Lake County Sheriff's Office almost four years ago. He has been directly responsible for tracking and successfully apprehending over 70 suspects. Dax has also been accountable for tracking and finding dozens of missing or endangered children and adults.

Dax has been used for over 100 narcotic searches resulting in over 17 kilos of cocaine, heroin and other narcotics seized, hundreds of pounds of cannabis, approximately three quarters of a million dollars in currency, dozens of firearms, and seized vehicles.

Dax's top deployments in 2018 included tracking and locating a dangerous domestic violence offender who forced his way into a home and then battered and choked a woman until she lost consciousness; capturing a robbery suspect even after the offender struck Dax repeatedly; and apprehending a wanted fugitive (who was allegedly armed) hiding in the attic of a home covered in fiberglass insulation.

Dax saved the lives of citizens and deputies in late 2018 when he tracked a fugitive who had allegedly committed a burglary, was in the process of stealing a vehicle from its owner, and then brandished a gun at pursuing deputies. The fugitive was charged with attempted murder and several other felonies after being located by Dax.

On March 12, 2019, Dax and Officer Forlenza received a call regarding an emotionally challenged woman who had left home in below freezing weather wearing only light clothing. Dax tracked the woman for over two hours before finding her and probably saving her life.

Dax's tireless drive, dedication to training, love for police work, and incredible success stories have gained him thousands of supporters from across the country, where he was named 2019 K9's For Valor, National Dog of the Year, 2018 Chicago Crime Commission K9 of the Year and his partner, Officer John Forlenza top K9 officer in the state of Illinois.

Dax has proven to be an outstanding K9 hero!

The public can vote for Dax at herodogawards.org/dog/dax-2.