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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to commend Deputy John Forlenza and
4Police K9 Dax for their honorable service and dedication to
5their community, the State as a whole, and the nation; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax, a German Shepard, was born on
7March 4, 2014 near Spokane, Washington; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax's breeder told the TOPS kennel and
9the police K9 training center that he was a special dog to be
10placed with someone who was a good fit; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax and Lake County Sheriff's Deputy
12John Forlenza were matched as a team on April 20, 2015 and
13graduated from the TOPS kennel police K9 program on June 12,
142015; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax seized millions of dollars,
16hundreds of kilos of illegal drugs, dozens of firearms
17discarded by offenders, and dozens of vehicles; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax has received numerous recognitions
19and awards, including recognition from the Illinois House of
20Representatives in 2016, a Lake County Board Special

 

 

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1Recognition in 2019, a Certificate of Recognition from the
2Illinois State Senate in 2022, the ASIS International-Illinois
3North Shore Chapter Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
4in 2017, a Chicago Crime Commission Paws of Distinction in
52017, the K9's of Valor Foundation K9 of the Year in 2018, the
6100 Club of Chicago Valor Award in 2019, the American Humane
7Hero Dog-Law Enforcement in 2019, the Italian American Police
8Association Officer of the Year in 2019, a Lake County
9Sheriff's Commendation Award in 2022, the Lake County
10Sheriff's Office Sheriff Award for Valor in 2022, an Illinois
11Law Enforcement Medal of Honor in 2023, and the German Shepard
12Dog Club of the Year Hero Dog Award in 2023; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax competed in several competitions
14with the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) and
15in national and regional trials across the country for
16tracking, article searches, narcotics, suspect searches, and
17protection, winning six USPCA Championships and earning two
18Tracking Exceptional Certificates; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax is known across the nation due to
20his appearances on numerous local and national news stations,
21including Fox Nation Hero Dogs, Hallmark Channel American
22Humane's Hero Dog, Hallmark Channel Home and Family Show, NBC
23Access Daily, NBC Today Show, A&E Network America's Top Dog
24Competition, and ESPN Dynamic K9 Duos; he was featured in

 

 

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1People Magazine and made many appearances at local schools and
2police K9 demonstrations to demonstrate police K9 skills and
3teach the public about the police profession; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Police K9 Dax was injured in his neck and spine in
5the line of duty apprehending a repeat felon who was fleeing
6officers, forcing his retirement; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Following Police K9 Dax's injury and diagnosis of
8intervertebral disc disease, Deputy John Forlenza submitted
9Police K9 Dax's official retirement request to Lake County
10Sheriff John D. Idleburg, and his retirement was celebrated on
11April 10, 2024; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Due to the extent of Police K9 Dax's injuries,
13the difficult decision was made to end his suffering on April
1412, 2024; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Deputy John Forlenza and Police K9 Dax were a
16dynamic duo, partners, and best friends, who together saved
17many lives and protected the residents of Lake County;
18therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
20HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
21we commend Deputy John Forlenza and Police K9 Dax for their

 

 

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1honorable service and dedication to their community, the State
2as a whole, and the nation; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
4presented to Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg and Deputy John
5Forlenza as a token of our great esteem and respect.