Lake County officers credited with stopping suicide attempt in jail

The Lake County sheriff's office is crediting two correctional officers with saving the life a man attempting to kill himself in the jail.

According to a Wednesday news release, officers George Gotsis and John Venetsanakos were conducting rounds Monday afternoon in the maximum security area of the jail when they saw a 39-year-old inmate trying to hang himself with a T-shirt.

The officers entered the cell and cut the shirt from the man's neck. After the shirt was removed, the inmate began breathing and regained consciousness, authorities said.

Medical personnel maintained initial care of the inmate before he was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The inmate was returned to the jail and suicide-prevention protocol was initiated.

"This is the second time in less than a month where our corrections officers prevented a suicide," Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said.

"This inmate was potentially moments away from losing his life, but officers Gotsis and Venetsanakos acted heroically and stopped a suicide."

In July, two corrections officers stopped an 18-year-old inmate attempting to kill himself by hanging himself with a bedsheet.