Buffalo Grove honors two cops for lifesaving actions

Naloxone, the overdose reversal drug also known under its brand name Narcan, has become an important part of the law enforcement tool kit.

In Buffalo Grove, the drug and the quick actions of two officers played a role in police saving the life of a resident last month.

On Monday, the village board and Police Chief Steven Casstevens recognized Officers Tony Turano and Derek Hawkins for their lifesaving actions that day.

Casstevens said the officers responded to a July 12 call from a resident who said a family member was locked in a bedroom.

"There was no response from inside the bedroom," Casstevens said. "There was a concern of a possible drug overdose."

Officers forced their way through the door and found a 31-year-old man on the floor unconscious and not breathing, along with other signs of a drug overdose.

The officers administered three doses of naloxone, after which the man's eyes opened and he started breathing on his own. He was transported to a nearby hospital and survived.

Buffalo Grove police officers have been carrying naloxone since 2014 for calls just like this one.