Des Plaines officer honored for saving man’s life

A Des Plaines police officer is being recognized for his quick thinking and lifesaving skills for reviving an unresponsive man on the Des Plaines River bridge.

Officer Matt Cerasa was honored with a Life Saving Award at last Monday’s Des Plaines city council meeting for his actions on Oct. 23, when he responded to a call of a man down on the bridge at Rand Road.

Police Chief William Kushner said Cerasa observed the victim lying on his back, not breathing and unresponsive. Cerasa called paramedics and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

When paramedics arrived, the victim began to breathe intermittently, and they began to administer more advanced lifesaving measures before transporting him to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

“It is the opinion of the Des Plaines Fire Department paramedics and the emergency room personnel that Officer Cerasa’s quick and decisive lifesaving measures helped to save the life of the victim,” Kushner said.