3 Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies, K9 Deputy, Receive ‘Medal of Honor’

LAKE COUNTY, IL — For the first time since 2016, a ceremony was held for "Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor" recipients Wednesday in Springfield. The event had some local flavor as three Lake County Sheriff's deputies and a LCSO K9 were presented awards by Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.

LCSO Deputy John Forlenza, K9 Dax and Deputy Ray Gilbert received the award for a 2018 incident where the group responded to a burglary in progress. The three were sent to the burglary scene in Lake County. Upon arrival, Forlenza and K9 Dax checked the area, while Gilbert provided cover to the K9 Team. K9 Dax successfully tracked the offender for one mile, and as the three rounded a corner of a home they encountered the offender, who then escaped from them.

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 Forlenza. Gilbert responded by shooting at the offender to protect Forlenza, who had control of K9 Dax.

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Sieber received the award for a 2020 incident where he and the LCSO warrants team were conducting an operation to take a man into custody who was wanted for homicide, according to a news release. As Sieber and other members of the team approached a residence, the offender exited a vehicle parked in the driveway and began shooting at the warrants team.

Sieber, along with McHenry County Sergeant Daniel Kramer, returned fire, striking the offender. Members of the warrants team performed CPR on the man until the paramedics arrived.

"I am incredibly proud of Deputies Forlenza, Gilbert, Sieber, and K9 Dax," Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. "This heroic group of deputies undoubtedly prevented innocent lives from being lost, while putting their own lives on the line. Congratulations to all four on receiving this deserved, prestigious award."