Wheeling detective honored for saving fellow cop

Wheeling police Detectives John Connolly and Michael Conway have gone out to lunch more than a few times in the 13 years they’ve known each other.

Most were routine work lunches. One wasn’t.

On Oct. 10, 2010, the two were at Skipper’s in Wheeling when Connolly started choking on his hot dog. It completely blocked his airway. Without thinking his friend stood up, performed the Heimlich maneuver and saved Connolly’s life.

Conway was honored at Wheeling’s village board meeting on Monday. The board room was packed with Wheeling police officers and firefighters. One of them, of course, was Connolly.

“At no point was I really concerned that it wouldn’t work out because I knew what was happening,” Connolly said. “Thanks, Mike.”

Conway shrugged and accepted the village’s Life Saving award from Mayor Judy Abruscato.

“I’m glad things worked out the way they did,” said Conway, who was joined by his wife, Diane, and three children, Michael Jr., 12, Jack, 10, and Emma, 7.

“Just a few days before this happened, we were had a CPR training session,” Conway said after he left Monday’s board meeting.

“And by the way, you still owe me lunch,” he told Connolly.