Lake County Sheriff's K9 Is First Ever To Receive Valor Award

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Over the weekend, the Lake County Sheriff's Office proudly announced Deputy Ray Gilbert, Deputy John Forlenza, and K9 Dax received the 100 Club of Chicago’s Valor Award. This was the first time a K9 ever received the Valor Award, the sheriff's office said Sunday, adding that the trio accepted the award at a ceremony held at the Chicago Cultural Center on Thursday, April 25.

Deputies Gilbert, Forlenza, and K9 Dax were nominated for the award following a 2018 incident, involving a burglary in progress. According to the sheriff's office, the three were sent to the burglary scene, and when they arrived, Deputy Forlenza and K9 Dax checked the area, while Deputy Gilbert provided cover to the K9 Team.

K9 Dax successfully tracked the offender one-mile, and as the three rounded a corner of a home they encountered the offender, who then escaped from them, according to the sheriff's office.

Related:

• Lake County Sheriff's K9 Team Locates Armed Algonquin Man: Police
• Lake Co. Police Dog Named K9 of the Year

The sheriff's office said the offender got into a car that did not belong to him, then tried to escape but crashed into a tree. The offender then pointed a semi-automatic firearm at Deputy Forlenza, the sheriff's office said. Deputy Gilbert responded by shooting at the offender to protect Deputy Forlenza, who had control of K9 Dax, according to the sheriff's office.

For their heroic and brave actions during this incident, the 100 Club of Chicago awarded Deputy Gilbert, Deputy Forlenza, and K9 Dax their highest honor, the Valor Award, according to the sheriff's office.

“Every day I spend working alongside the brave men and women of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, I become more and more impressed with their dedication, professionalism, and heroism," Sheriff John Idleburg said. "Ray, John, and K9 Dax are shining examples of courageous protectors of our community. These three faced a life-and-death situation and utilized their extensive training and experience to protect each other and ensure they weren’t severely injured or killed.”

Two days after receiving the award, Deputy Forlenza and K9 Dax were instrumental in the arrest of an armed Algonquin man, The Algonquin Police Department said in a release. On Saturday morning, Algonquin police were also assisted by the McHenry County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team, who conducted a high-risk search for an Algonquin man inside of his home and determined he had fled the scene. Officials said K9 Dax was able to track the man down, and he was taken into custody.

It's been an exciting 2019 for the Lake County Sheriff's Office, especially for K9 Dax, as the sheriff's office announced in February K9 Dax was voted the K9s of Valor Foundation 'K9 of the Year!'