"Saved Countless Lives": K9 Dax Forced Into Retirement By Spinal Injury Suffered In Chase

WAUKEGAN, IL — One month after he suffered a spinal injury while apprehending a fleeing teen, the Lake County Sheriff's Office's most decorated dog, Dax, has retired from active duty.

“There is no way to quantify or properly express what Dax’s service has meant to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County community, his supporters across the nation, and especially me," his handler, Dep. John Forlenza, said in a statement.

"But I cannot refrain from stating that his service has been exemplary," Forlenza said, "and most importantly, he has saved countless lives, including my own."

K9 Dax, a 10-year-old German shepherd, joined the sheriff's office in the spring of 2015. Since then, he and Forlenza have helped find more than 400 fleeing suspects or missing people, according to an announcement from the sheriff's office.

"He has hundreds of kilos of illegal drugs, millions of dollars seized, dozens of firearms discarded by offenders, dozens of seized vehicles, and has participated in hundreds of community and school demonstrations," it said.

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Dax is a six-time regional champion in United States Police Canine Association competition, and a winner of K9 of the Year, Valor Award and Medal of Honor, among many other awards and commendations.

He has also been featured on television programs including A&E's "America's Top Dog," Fox Nation's "Hero Dogs," ESPN's "Dynamic K9 Duos" and Hallmark Channel's "American Humane's Hero Dog."

Last month, Dax was temporarily paralyzed after injuries to his neck and spine he suffered while helping police take a 16-year-old Zion boy into custody in a wooded area.

According to the sheriff's office, veterinarians diagnosed the dog with cervical, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Disease, exacerbated during the arrest.

K9 Dax went through intensive physical therapy following the injury, allowing him to regain the ability to walk and use his hind legs. But his team of veterinarians ruled him out of active duty, according to the sheriff's office.

"I am proud to have been his handler and best friend for the last nine years," said Forlenza, with whom Dax will now reside. "Dax is a true hero and well deserving of the rest and love that waits for him in his retirement."

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Sheriff John Idleburg thanked Dax for his service to the community ahead of a planned retirement service.

“Deputy John Forlenza and K9 Dax exemplify what a true partnership looks like. They are among the top canine teams in the nation. There was virtually nothing K9 Dax couldn’t handle," Idleburg said.

"He saved many lives throughout his career, apprehended some of the most violent offenders, and located major quantities of illegally trafficked drugs."