Heroes recognized for saving man's life

An Elburn police officer and Maple Park emergency medical technician were recognized by Elburn village leaders for efforts to save the life of a heart attack victim last fall.

On Oct. 6 of last year, Officer Fred Tichenor was dispatched to the BP Amoco station on the southwest corner of routes 38 and 47, where a man in is 40s was having a heart attack.

Upon arriving at the scene, the victim's daughter told Tichenor that her father was not breathing.

Tichenor then removed the man from his vehicle and began performing CPR.

Maple Park Fire Protection District EMT Julie Little, who happened to be at the scene, offered her assistance and also performed CPR on the victim.

Tichenor and Little were able to help the victim regain his pulse, and he was transported by ambulance to Delnor-Community Hospital.

"This is admirable. This is remarkable to save his life in the manner that it was done," said Elburn Police Chief James Linane.

Linane presented Tichenor and Little with plaques recognizing their heroic act on Monday during a village board meeting.

During the presentation, Linane read an e-mail from the victim's mother, in which she expressed her appreciation for the heroic act.

"It feels like the heavenly father put people in place to keep him alive," she wrote. "Thanks to you, I still have my son."