Des Plaines officers commended for lifesaving actions, bravery
Seven Des Plaines police officers on Monday received lifesaving awards for their actions during five emergencies over the last year. One received a second award for valor.
The commendations were presented during the evening’s city council meeting. Two additional officers scheduled to receive lifesaving awards didn’t attend the ceremony.
Police Chief David Anderson presented the awards after telling the council and audience about the circumstances that led to each commendation.
The first emergency occurred Oct. 11, 2024, on the 1500 block of Miner Street. Officers Jennifer Nelson and Michael Kurotobi responded to a call of a stabbing and found a 53-year-old man who was bleeding badly from an arm wound. Kurotobi applied pressure to the wound and Nelson made a tourniquet, saving the victim’s life. Paramedics took the victim to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for further treatment.
On March 16, officer Kevin Connolly used an automated external defibrillator to treat a 68-year-old man having a heart attack on the 900 block of South Second Ave. The patient subsequently was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
On June 21, officers Alexa Laureano, Darek Synowiec and Samih Haddad rescued a 16-year-old boy who had been stabbed during a fight on the 1100 block of Elmhurst Road. They worked as a team and applied tourniquets before paramedics took him to Advocate Lutheran General.
Just five days later on June 26, officer Dale Jeon used an AED to save a 34-year-old man suffering a heart attack on the 1000 block of Bogart Street. The man was taken to Advocate Lutheran General.
Finally, on July 24, officers Haddad, Angelo Diollo and Allison Milkowski rescued a 25-year-old man from drowning in Lake Opeka. With a rope around his waist, Haddad swam to the victim with a flotation device; the other officers pulled the rope, Haddad and the victim to shore. The man was taken to Advocate Lutheran General.
In addition to the lifesaving awards that trio received, Haddad received an additional commendation for valor, prompting a standing ovation from the officials at the council dais. Awards for valor are rare in Des Plaines, Anderson said.
The officers received plaques detailing their actions and ribbons for their uniforms.