Illinois Sheriffs
4-Paws, 2-Feet, 1-Team!
Illinois Sheriffs K-9 Units
Police K9 units, also known as police dogs, are highly trained dogs that work with law enforcement to help keep communities safe. While most humans encounter daily stress, how many, given the chance, would volunteer to face their extreme fears? To be a recipient of a violent act, to pursue violent perpetrators, to report on those who confront violence—willingly, courageously—this is the hero world of a working police K9 dog!
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) is proud to announce Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office K9 Maverick and his handler, Deputy Austin Gillespie, as the 2027 ISA K9 Hero of the Year.
With the first K9 Hero in 2025… the ISA K9 Heroes Program was created to celebrate the remarkable service and sacrifice of police K9s and their handlers across Illinois. Each year, sheriffs’ offices are invited to nominate their K9 teams for recognition. These highly trained dogs assist in narcotics detection, search and rescue, suspect apprehension, and community outreach—serving as both protectors and ambassadors of public safety.
This year’s nominations featured six K9s from six counties, each demonstrating extraordinary commitment to service. After reviewing years of service, deployments, and accomplishments, ISA selected K9 Maverick, a three-year-old Shepherd/Malinois mix, for his narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, fugitive apprehension, and assistance to surrounding law enforcement agencies.
As part of the K9 Heroes Program, ISA will launch a limited-edition K9 Maverick plush toy and trading card this fall through the ISA Holiday Store at the end of October. For a $30 donation, it will include the collectible plush fitted with tactical vest, sheriff collar, and Hero dog tag. Net proceeds will directly support the Tazewell County K9 Unit in honor of Maverick’s service.
Congrats to all of the amazing Illinois County Sheriff’s Offices and their K9s that were nominated!
2027 ISA K9 Hero
Meet Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office K9 Maverick!
Deputy Austin Gillespie is an 8-year veteran of the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is partnered with K9 Maverick, a 4-year-old male Shepherd/Malinois mix.
During his service, Maverick has demonstrated his value as a law enforcement K-9 through narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, fugitive apprehension, and assistance to surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Throughout his career, K-9 Maverick has contributed to more than 100 narcotics seizures. These deployments have assisted deputies and other law enforcement officers in locating illegal narcotics, developing criminal investigations, and making arrests. Maverick’s contributions to narcotics enforcement represent a significant portion of his service to Tazewell County and the surrounding communities.
In addition to narcotics detection, Maverick has been utilized by the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding agencies to track fleeing suspects and violent fugitives. His tracking capabilities have proven particularly valuable when suspects have fled into wooded areas, fields, and other difficult terrain where traditional search methods are limited.
In February 2026, Maverick was requested to assist with a serious incident in East Peoria, Illinois. A male suspect had struck a female with a vehicle and fled the scene. Multiple law enforcement agencies pursued the suspect’s vehicle until the suspect crashed and fled on foot into a wooded area.
Maverick was deployed from the crash scene and began tracking the suspect through the woods. The track continued to an area near a creek, where the suspect had concealed himself inside a deep hole. Despite the suspect’s efforts to hide and the challenging terrain, Maverick successfully located the suspect and jumped on top of him. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody. Maverick’s tracking ability was instrumental in locating a fleeing suspect who had concealed himself in an area that would have been difficult for officers to locate through conventional search methods.
In June 2026, Maverick was requested to assist the Mackinaw Police Department following another vehicle pursuit. The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle got stuck in a muddy field, and the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area.
Maverick was deployed and tracked the suspect for hundreds of yards through the wooded terrain. During the track, Maverick located clothing items discarded by the suspect along his path of travel. As Maverick continued tracking, officers utilizing thermal imaging were able to locate the suspect ahead of the K-9 team.
K-9 Maverick, Deputy Gillespie, and deputies with the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office moved toward the suspect’s location; K-9 announcements were given, and Maverick began barking as the team approached. The suspect surrendered and was taken into custody on multiple felony charges without further confrontation. Maverick’s tracking helped establish the suspect’s direction of travel and contributed to the safe resolution of the incident.
These incidents demonstrate the versatility, and effectiveness Maverick has displayed throughout his service. His accomplishments are not limited to a single significant deployment. His involvement in more than 100 narcotics seizures, combined with his ability to track and locate dangerous and wanted individuals, has made him a valuable resource for the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies throughout the area.
When K9 Maverick is not discovering narcotics or chasing down the bad guys, he enjoys a crowd and has shown off his skills at Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office – National Night Out and numerous school demonstrations.
When he’s off duty, he loves swimming in lakes and relaxing in cool creek water to beat the summer heat. Maverick and Deputy Gillespie also enjoy hiking together, giving him a chance to explore and burn off some of his seemingly endless energy. Above all, Maverick is happiest when he’s chasing a ball or playing tug-of-war with Deputy Gillespie.
K9 Maverick Plush Donation Hero COMING SOON! - Watch for our 2026 Holiday Store to open at the end of October!
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) is proud to announce DuPage County Sheriff’s Office K9 Xena and her handler, Deputy Aaron Davis, as the 2026 ISA K9 Hero of the Year.
Launched in 2024, the ISA K9 Heroes Program was created to celebrate the remarkable service and sacrifice of police K9s and their handlers across Illinois. Each year, sheriffs’ offices are invited to nominate their K9 teams for recognition. These highly trained dogs assist in narcotics detection, search and rescue, suspect apprehension, and community outreach—serving as both protectors and ambassadors of public safety.
This year’s nominations featured eight K9s from seven counties, each demonstrating extraordinary commitment to service. After reviewing years of service, deployments, and accomplishments, ISA selected K9 Xena, a six-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever, for her exceptional work in narcotics and human remains detection.
As part of the K9 Heroes Program, ISA will launch a limited-edition K9 Xena plush toy and trading card this fall through the ISA Holiday Store at the end of October. For a $30 donation, it will include the collectible plush fitted with tactical vest, sheriff collar, and Hero dog tag. Net proceeds will directly support the DuPage County K9 Unit in honor of Xena’s service.
Congrats to all of the amazing Illinois County Sheriff’s Offices and their K9s that were nominated!
2026 ISA K9 Hero
Meet DuPage County Sheriff's Office K9 Xena!
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Deputy Aaron Davis is a 22year veteran of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, currently assigned to LEB Patrol and the K9 Unit. He is partnered with K9 Xena, a 6-year-old female Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Xena is trained to detect and alert to the odor of various Narcotics and the odor of Human Decomposition in all phases.
Xena was born in the Netherlands and came to America where she was imprint trained to her known odors at a kennel in Florida. Xena, who at 14 months old, was paired together with Deputy Davis at the DuPage Couty Sheriff’s Office in January of 2020 as a new K9/Handler Team. They trained together daily for months to become very effective partners. Upon successful completion of the Illinois State Narcotics Test, they were placed in service for the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office as a K9 Team. Training is never “done” as they train a minimum of three days a month to keep our skills working together sharp.
Throughout their career together they have regularly assisted our Deputies from DuPage County in the Law Enforcement Bureau with locating Narcotics and Human Remains in various types of investigations, and Corrections Bureau with locating Narcotics in the Correctional Facility. In addition, with the commitment of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, it has been their mission to assist all Police Agencies throughout DuPage County and all counties inside Illinois, including federal agencies. Their successful work has spread throughout the Law Enforcement Community; they have received requests for assistance from across North & Central Illinois and into Indiana. Those requests have come from Federal Agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, FBI, and US Postal Inspectors, State Agencies including several Special Units of the Illinois State Police, IDNR Conservation Police, and the Illinois State Fire Marshalls, numerous County Sheriff’s Offices including Cook County and all of the surrounding Counties and many beyond, and more Municipal Police Agencies than could be named including the Chicago Police Department. Every request received is always given top consideration, and thorough planning and execution to ensure the best possibility of success, whether it is a search for Narcotics on a traffic stop or an extensive search for the remains of a missing person.
During her work as a Narcotics Detection K9, Xena has assisted in the location and recovery of over 350 lbs. of cannabis, over 30 kilos of Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine and pounds of Fentanyl and other Opioids that never made it on to the streets, as well as firearms associated with those crimes. Additionally, Xena has assisted in the location and recovery of more than 4.5 million dollars in Narcotics Trafficking related currency. Xena has been to O’Hare Airport to assist US Postal Inspectors and Illinois State Police with locating packages and luggage associated with Narcotics smuggling as well as HSI and DEA all over the Chicagoland area.
As a Human Remains Detection or “Cadaver” K9, Xena has excelled in that field. Xena has located remains associated with Missing Persons, Suicides, Homicides, as well as Accidental and Natural Deaths. Early in their career as a K9 Team, Xena and Deputy Davis assisted Chicago Police Marine Unit with a search for a Missing Person in the Chicago River. With their assistance the subject was subsequently located buried in mud in over 20 ft of water. This success led to CPD having confidence in using a Cadaver K9 , and have since been requested numerous times by both CPD Marine Unit and Detectives from Missing Persons and Homicide Units, leading to subjects being located as well as evidence from victims in Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, as well as dismembered homicide victims and a homicide that was attempted concealed by burning the victim. Xena has located subjects that have been buried, burned, submerged and otherwise concealed, as well as the simpler task of locating deceased subjects in Check of Well Being situations. To date Xena and Deputy Davis have over 35 Human Recovery finds that have helped families with closure.
When not on a search or recovery mission, Xena and Deputy Davis attend numerous community functions, including National Night Out, Sheriff’s Safety Saturday, block parties, school demos, Citizen Police Academies, Boy Scout / Girl Scout meetings, and anywhere else the community requests. Xena is also well liked at several Dispatching Centers in DuPage County, bringing relief to many Dispatchers stressful days. Xena’s non-aggressive and mild temperament makes her a favorite at community events, and very popular with children. At home, Xena has two sisters that she loves to play with and is always in line for snacks, ice cubes or to share a banana or piece of cheese. K9 Xena and Deputy Davis are always together strengthening their bond, so that they can serve the public to the best of their abilities with their special skill set.
To Deputy Davis, Xena has earned the nick name of “The Goodest Good Girl” and he is proud to be her partner.
As part of the K9 Heroes Program, ISA will launch a limited-edition K9 Xena plush toy and trading card this fall through the ISA Holiday Store at the end of October. For a $30 donation, it will include the collectible plush fitted with tactical vest, sheriff collar, and Hero dog tag. Net proceeds will directly support the DuPage County K9 Unit in honor of Xena’s service.
Congrats to all of the amazing Illinois County Sheriff’s Offices and their K9s that were nominated!
2025 ISA K9 Hero
Meet Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 Dax!
When you donate $30, you'll receive one of our NEW plush Dax K9 Heroes with Trading Card!
He was a dual purpose K9 trained in multi-functions. He and his handler Lake County Deputy John Forlenza shared a 9-year career together. In March of 2024, K9 Dax was injured while apprehending a person who had committed several felonies and was fleeing. K9 Dax injured his neck and spine, which resulted in temporary paralysis to his hindquarters. K9 Dax went through intensive physical therapy following the injury, allowing him to regain the ability to walk and use his hind legs.
K9 Dax’s team of veterinarians determined that, for his physical wellbeing, he would not be able to return to active duty. K9 Dax retired in Spring of 2024 and sadly he succumbed to those injuries – K9 Dax E.O.W. 4-12-24.
There is way more to K9 Dax’s story and his journey with Deputy Forlenza! He was a HERO, and you can learn all about his amazing career with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office when you click on the Dax’s Story button below.
SPECIAL WORDS FROM DEPUTY JOHN FORLENZA UPON DAX’S RETIREMENT IN APRIL 2024
Today we celebrate Dax’s retirement as a police K9. Thank you to all of you here today and all of Dax’s supporters throughout his career who couldn’t be here today. Thank you for all the cards, letters, care-packages and well wishes as he worked to recover from his recent injury. I want you all to know the special role you have played in Dax’s career and his rehabilitation.
I’d like to thank Sheriff Idleburg, and his administration for affording us every opportunity to train so that Dax could reach his full potential and have such a successful career. And above all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be Dax’s handler and now owner!
Dax gave everything he had to being a police canine. He loved every aspect of it, especially finding and sometimes biting an offender. Part of what made Dax so successful was his gentle nature. Dax was never a mean dog; he was always relaxed around people he didn’t perceive as a threat. Dax liked and was very calm around other animals. Our cat Mittens is by far his favorite. But that calm nature paired with the proper training made him an exceptionally confident and tough dog. Dax always had the ability to adjust his level of aggressiveness to threats he faced during his career. Many offenders simply gave up without a fight because of his formidable warning bark and appearance (he’s so good looking).
I have loved being his best friend and handler for the last nine years. That time has gone by so fast. I wish I took more time to enjoy the little things during his career that looking back seem so much bigger now.
I’ll miss doing demonstrations with Dax, especially for school children. The look on their faces when they watched him and their thoughtful questions about him always made me smile.
I will miss training Dax with Alex and the TOPS crew and Rolando. I’ll miss taking Dax with Alex, Rolando and Todd across the country to certifications, trials, demonstrations and shows. We will miss being around the other handlers and their canines.
Dax and I will miss his supporters everywhere. You need to know how much you have meant to us over the years. You have helped make his career remarkable. Recently, I’ve received more get-well letters, cards and care packages from you for Dax than I can count. Your “get well” letters and cards have touched me and my family. They have made me reflect on Dax’s amazing career even more.
Dax has taught me a lot about being a handler. He has been tolerant of my mistakes and my shortcomings along the way. And eventually I got it right and began to read him better during our deployments which helped him to succeed. There are other great canines out there, some of them are here today. But there was no canine that could out-train Dax, and I believe that played a significant role in his success.
There is a verse, from the book of Isaiah Chapter 6. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send? And who shall go for us? And I said: Lord, here am I, send me. I have always thought of that passage prior to every deployment with Dax. I feel God sent Dax here to go for us when he was asked, and his response, by way of his actions was always “send me”.
Thank you, Dax, for all always being there! God bless all of you and God bless our Dax.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Dax was selected as a well-deserved 2019 American Humane Law Enforcement/Arson Hero Dog. Click on the image above to play the full video!
Click the image to learn more about Fox News new Hero Dog series featuring DAX!
Meet the Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9s. Click the image above for an introduction to Dax and his K9 partners!
