Lake Co. forest ranger decorated for saving boy's life

A Lake County Forest Preserve District ranger was decorated Tuesday for saving a boy's life during the recent Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon.

Esteban Gomez, a nearly 3-year veteran of the forest district police, pulled the boy from the water after a family's canoe capsized during the May 18 event.

Gomez tried to downplay his heroics during a brief ceremony at Tuesday's forest board meeting.

"I was just doing my job - nothing more, nothing less," said Gomez, 33, of Island Lake. "I'm just glad the young boy got to go home that day."

Gomez was on duty and in a kayak when the accident occurred. He was working as a race sweeper, making sure the participants safely got through Lake County's portion of the popular river race.

Just south of Deerfield Road, Gomez heard someone screaming and spotted the boy struggling in the water. The youth's leg was trapped in a log jam, officials said.

The boy's family already was down river.

Gomez paddled over and tried to free the boy, but in the process his own kayak capsized. He then freed the boy and carried him to shore.

Gomez returned to the river and, with the help of another ranger and some Boy Scouts, pulled the boy's family and their canoe to shore.

Forest board commissioners praised Gomez on Tuesday after a resolution describing his actions in the river was read aloud.

"Officer Gomez is a shining example of what these officers do," said commissioner Pam Newton, a Long Grove Republican. "You're heroes for us."

Gomez received a ribbon for his uniform and a plaque from Ranger Chief John Tannahill. Gomez's wife, Jen, pinned the decoration on his chest.

Jen Gomez said it's in her husband's nature to help others. He often stops to help disabled motorists he sees on the road, she said.

"He could not sleep at night if he could not make sure everyone was OK," she said.