Fire rescue earns Hoffman Estates police officer award

Hoffman Estates Police Officer Michael Venezia has been named his department's 2015 Officer of the Year for his selfless rescue of an elderly man from a burning home nearly a year ago.

It was on March 13, 2015 that Venezia and fellow Hoffman Estates police officers responding to a fire on the 300 block of Apache Lane learned that an elderly resident had fallen down while still inside.

Venezia immediately entered the home, which was filled with heavy smoke, and made contact with the woman who had made the 911 call and her elderly father, who was on the floor.

Venezia pulled the man from the home, and both the resident and his daughter were taken to St. Alexius Medical Center for treatment for smoke inhalation.

In determining the department's officer of the year, officials concluded that Venezia had acted courageously, without hesitation and without regard for his personal safety. Venezia had previously earned a Life Saving award for his actions.