Huntley cop gets award for saving infant

After seven years as a police officer in Huntley, L.J. Marak will have a new bar on his uniform, right above his name plate.

The Huntley Police Department recently gave Marak its Life Saving award for coming to the rescue of a choking 1-year-old last month.

When Marak showed up at a house on Fairbluff Avenue, Riley Hilton was choking on a rubber ball. The baby sitter was able to remove the ball, but Riley still wasn't in the clear.

"He wasn't breathing," Marak said. "It didn't sound like he had a heartbeat."

Marak performed CPR on the child. Riley started breathing again, then crying.

"I never thought I'd be so happy to hear a kid cry again," Marak said. "I got one just about his age."

The 1-year-old was taken to the hospital and made a full recovery.

Marak was honored for his lifesaving efforts by the Huntley village board.

"I thought it was a really nice gesture," Marak said. "We have a lot of people (in the department) who would have done exactly the same thing. I just happened to be the first to show up."