Lake Co. Sheriff's K9 Finds Missing Man After 'Top Dog' Award Win

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy John Forlenza and his partner K9 Dax are coming off of a world-wind weekend after winning several regional titles during their participation in the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 19 Patrol Dog Trial, and most importantly, finding a missing man in Vernon Hills, who threatened to harm himself, according to a sheriff's office report. During their first work shift following the competition in Sterling Heights Michigan, Deputy Forlenza and K9 Dax were called to help Vernon Hills police find a missing 51-year-old man, who left a friend's house Saturday morning after threatening to hurt himself, according to the sheriff's office.

At 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Deputy Forlenza and K9 Dax went to the area of Route 45 and Buffalo Grove Road in Vernon Hills, where they began to track the man. K9 Dax tracked the man's scent for one-quarter mile, before finding him unconscious in heavy brush next to the Indian Creek, just west of Buffalo Grove Road, the sheriff's office reported.

Paramedics were called and the man was taken to a local hospital due to being unconscious and for a mental health evaluation, according to the sheriff's office.

Just hours before K9 Dax tracked down the missing man, he earned the Tracking Exceptional Certification during the competition in Michigan. According to the sheriff's office, K9 Dax is the first dog in 12 years to earn the title in Region 19.

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“Deputy John Forlenza and his four-legged partner, Dax, have done it yet again! We are thrilled at the number of regional titles they bring home to Lake County," Sheriff John Idleburg said, in a release. "Only about one in 500 canines typically earn the Tracking Exceptional Certification and it’s been 12 years since the last time a Region 19 canine achieved this challenging certification."

The first two days, K9 Dax completed his annual/national certifications in tracking, narcotics searches, and cadaver detection. For the final two days, K9 Dax participated in a trial during which he competed in the areas of obedience, agility, scent work, apprehension, and apprehension with gunfire, the sheriff's office said.

The duo also brought home several regional titles following the certification/competition course, including:

• First place: Patrol Dog Overall
• First place: Cadaver Detection
• First place: Criminal Apprehension
• Boris Award: Top Apprehension Dog (dedicated in memory of K9 Boris, Detroit Police Department)
• Invitation to USPCA’s National Patrol Dog Field Trial, November 2019
• Top Finisher in Agility and Tracking

"Those tracking skills were highlighted on their first shift back to work when they undoubtedly saved the life of a missing suicidal man, who they found unconscious," Sheriff John Idleburg added, in a release. "We are very proud of all of our Sheriff’s Canine Teams and believe they provide a tremendous service to the Lake County Community.”