14-02-2025
Column: Lake County's newest K-9 following in his father's paw prints
Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg announced the other day he was looking for a few good men and women to join the Sheriff's Office. For the time being, he has a new K-9 deputy.
This month, he introduced the department's newest canine cop, Lux, who just happens to be a direct offspring of the late Sheriff's Office K-9, Dax. It's a storybook ending to Dax's life as one of the office's most decorated sheriff's deputies, human or canine.
Before his passing on April 12, Dax, a German shepherd, fathered a litter of puppies. Deputy John Forlenza, Dax's longtime partner, saw something in one of them to have the potential to follow in his father's paw prints, according to a statement from the Sheriff's Office.
Puppy Lux was then selected as the top candidate for a future law enforcement career. Lux and Forlenza will be undergoing training at Tops K9, off Route 120 in Grayslake, across the road from Northwestern Medicine's Outpatient Center, this spring. The training facility has prepped previous members of the sheriff's K-9 unit.
That training consists of canine psychology, obedience, agility, tracking, scent detection and more, according to the Sheriff's Office. Dogs and partners train as a team until they are ready for duty.
Dax was injured in March 2024 while apprehending a fleeing suspect in unincorporated Zion. The severity of his injuries led to his early retirement and his eventual euthanasia.
'K-9 Dax will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we are incredibly saddened by his passing,' Idleburg said in a statement at the time. He has long supported the use of K-9s in police work.
While announcing Lux as the newest member of the office's K-9 corps, the sheriff also hinted another dog will be joining the force. The office has a K-9 team of a half-dozen dogs and handlers.
They have been proven law enforcement successes for Lake County residents time and again. They also have partnered with local police on a daily basis when requested for tracking or seeking missing folks.
Like their human partners, the dogs also face peril when called upon to search for suspects. Late last month, K-9 Danno was kicked in the head by a Waukegan suspect he was seeking to corral in Beach Park. The dog was not injured seriously.
But he did bite the suspect on the foot, which allowed deputies to take the Waukeganite into custody. In addition to other violations, the suspect was charged with striking a police k-9, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Idleburg noted: 'This incident is yet another reminder of the dangers and risks our deputies — and law enforcement officers across the country — face every day.'
Dax faced similar hazards during his tour of duty, which began in 2015 after being trained at the Grayslake facility. Dax was born in the Czech Republic and turned into another Lake County immigrant success story.
During his time of service, Dax received global recognition for his service. That included tracking down more than 400 missing and endangered people or fleeing felons, discovering illegal drugs dozens of firearms discarded by offenders, and participating in hundreds of community and school demonstrations.
'Lux carries on an incredible legacy, as a direct offspring of our beloved K-9 Dax,' Idleburg said. 'We have no doubt that Lux, alongside Deputy Forlenza, will continue to serve and protect the residents of Lake County with the same dedication and bravery.'
For his part, Forlenza said: 'I would like to express my profound sense of gratitude and happiness that the Lake County Sheriff's Office has officially named K-9 Dax's son, K-9 Lux, as my new partner. I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue as a member of the Lake County Sheriff's Office K-9 Team, and to serve the citizens of Lake County with K-9 Lux.'
With a full complement of K-9 officers ready for service this year, Idleburg points out the Sheriff's Office continues to look for new-entry deputies and lateral hires. 'There has never been a better time to apply to join an amazing crew of colleagues and play a role in keeping our community safe,' the sheriff said of those seeking a career in law enforcement with the office.
Perhaps some of the future deputies will become K-9 partners and carry on the tradition of Dax and his fellow canine coppers. Which brings up why no one has pitched a film idea based on the life of Dax to Hollywood producers.
With Lux, they even have a ready-made sequel.
