DuPage County Police Armed...With Lifesaving EpiPens

WHEATON, IL — Sheriff’s deputies began carrying EpiPens this week as a part of their newly issued Go-Bag Med Kits. Undersheriff Bibbiano is proud of the relationship that was forged between the Sheriff’s Office, Shelly LeGere, County Board Member Pete DiCianni, Senator Chris Nybo and the DuPage County Health Department.

Undersheriff Bibbiano stated, “It’s this collaborative effort that really paved the way for this significant moment in law enforcement. I would like to extend my gratitude to Shelly LeGere, County Board Member Pete DiCianni and Senator Nybo for their tireless efforts to get the EpiPen in the hands of police.” Bibbiano continued, “I’m proud that our agency is the pilot agency for carrying EpiPens and along with our new Go-Bag Med Kits our deputies can now access the EpiPens and other lifesaving supplies quickly and efficiently.”

Shelly is the mother of Annie LeGere, who passed away on August 26th, 2015, as a result of anaphylactic shock due to an unknown allergic reaction. Shelly started the Annie LeGere Foundation, which promotes allergy awareness and research and educates parents and children about the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and what to do when they occur. Furthermore, the foundation supports training of first responders and school staff in the use of epinephrine auto-injectors. Shelly also spearheaded efforts with Senator Nybo and County Board Member Pete DiCianni to get “Annie’s Law” passed in Illinois.

“I’m honored to see the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office be the first to implement our EpiPen pilot program,” said Nybo. “By making this commitment, they're taking an active stance to reduce allergen-related deaths in our community—which are highly preventable, like in the case of our own Annie LeGere. It’s a bittersweet day, and I cannot thank Shelly and the LeGere family enough for sharing their story and working with me to create this life-saving measure to protect the futures of so many.”

Pictured are Sheriff’s deputies receiving their new Go-Bag Med Kits, which include EpiPens, Narcan, AED’s and other first aid supplies.

Pictured with Deputy VanDeVoorde are from left to right, County Board Member Pete DiCianni, Shelly LeGere, Undersheriff Frank Bibbiano and Chris Hoff of the DuPage County Health Department.

>> Submitted by DuPage County Sheriff's Office