CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Dax helped find a missing suicidal woman on a cold and rainy day. He found a suspect who police said choked and beat a woman. Dax took down a robbery suspect after the suspect punched him.
For that and other acts of bravery, Dax and his handler, Deputy John Forlenza of the Lake County Sheriff's Office, was voted the K9s of Valor Foundation "K9 of the Year."
"I couldn't be prouder of K9 Dax and his partner Deputy Forlenza," Sheriff John Idleburg in a statement. "From finding missing endangered people or fleeing offenders to showing off their skills at community events, I'm convinced our four canine teams are among the best in the nation."
The duo were among 100 others nominated for the award. Dax swept the competition with more than 9,500 votes.
K9s of Valor Foundation is a nonprofit with a mission to support police K9 officers across the country. It supplies units with life-saving and essential equipment, such as K9 trauma kits and Narcan overdose reversal kits.
Erika Hobbs contributed to the story.
