Man With Amputated Legs Saved During Fire As German Shepherd Bites Sheriff Who Put His Life On The Line

MORRIS, IL — People all over the region have reacted with thanks and appreciation to this week's news that Grundy County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Hrechko has received his agency's top two awards for saving the life of a bedridden Morris during a daytime fire that broke out in May inside a pole barn where the man lived.

Grundy Sheriff Ken Briley said that for his extraordinary bravery, selfless actions, and commitment to preserving human life during the May 29 residential structure fire, deputy Hrechko was honored with the Medal of Valor and the Lifesaving Award. By Thursday morning, news of Hrechko's awards had generated 1,100 likes, 210 comments and 62 shares on the Grundy County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

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"For your actions and persistence to help someone who needed it and got them to safety. Praying for your healing from what you had to endure to help another, Chad!! You definitely deserve the recognition! Congratulations!!! Great job!" wrote a woman named Angie.

Body camera footage from the fire is shared below.

That afternoon, Deputy Hrechko responded to the Morris structure in the 1000 block of Armstrong Street. Upon learning that a bedridden resident with both legs amputated below the knee was trapped inside the burning home, Deputy Hrechko forced entry into the smoke-filled residence and began searching for the victim, his agency announced.

"Despite rapidly deteriorating conditions, intense smoke, and severely limited visibility, he located the resident and began efforts to remove him from the burning structure," Grundy County shared in its Facebook post. "During the rescue attempt, Deputy Hrechko sustained multiple dog bites to his legs. Despite his injuries, he continued working to free the resident and move him toward safety. As smoke conditions worsened, Deputy Hrechko became disoriented and was eventually forced to exit the structure.

"Rather than abandon the rescue, Deputy Hrechko made the decision to re-enter the burning residence, once again placing his own life in danger in an effort to save another."

At the scene, the Morris Police Department helped Hrcheko with the rescue efforts, resulting in the successful removal of the trapped resident from the burning home.

Grundy County noted that Deputy Hrechko suffered dog bite injuries and smoke inhalation, requiring medical evaluation and treatment.

A second person in the home was also taken to Morris Hospital for smoke inhalation, police said in May. One dog escaped the fire, but a second dog died from the fire.

Sheriff Ken Briley stated, "Deputy Hrechko's actions represent the very best of what it means to serve in law enforcement. Faced with an extremely dangerous situation, he made the decision to put another person's life ahead of his own. Even after being injured and forced out of the burning home, he refused to give up on someone who desperately needed help. His courage, determination, and selflessness are truly deserving of our highest recognition. We are extremely proud of Deputy Hrechko and grateful that he is a member of the Grundy County Sheriff's Office."