Two Round Lake Park officers recognized for achievements

Two Round Lake Park police officers were recognized for achievement at the March 17 village board meeting.

Officer Randy Reuter was named Officer of the Year and Officer Matthew Lyons was presented the Medal of Life.

Officer of the Year is presented to any officer after being nominated and selected by peers for a positive work attitude, high work ethic, and willingness to go above and beyond duty requirements.

"After nearly 20 years of service, Officer Reuter works every tour with a positive attitude, maintains a level of pride, balancing compassion and discretion, setting an example for his co-workers," according to the nomination. "We take great pride in serving alongside Officer Reuter."

Reuter is a 19-year veteran of the department who is a field training officer, gang officer, truck enforcement officer, juvenile officer and evidence technician. He also served with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force and the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group.

Lyons was presented the Medal of Life. It is presented for acts performed in the line of duty with disregard for personal safety or through prompt, alert action resulting in the saving of the life of another.

On March 11, Lyons was dispatched to an unresponsive person. He arrived at the scene within two minutes and located a 28-year-old female who was unconscious and not breathing. Lyons immediately evaluated the situation and determined the woman had overdosed on heroin. He began rendering first aid and administered an opioid antidote (Naloxone/Envizio). The victim regained consciousness and began breathing.

His quick, decisive actions saved this young woman's life. Lyons is a probationary police officer who has been with the department since January 2014. He also is a U.S. Army veteran who served a tour in Iraq with a rifle company in a battle zone fighting insurgents.