Crime & Safety
Good Samaritan Saves Deputy From Burning Squad Car
An Elgin man came to the aid of Cook County Sheriff's Office Deputy Margie Sullivan who became trapped inside her squad following a crash.
ELGIN, IL -- An Elgin man is being credited with saving the life of a Cook County Sheriff's Office deputy who became trapped in her burning squad car following a crash in August. Rueben Xochihua was on his delivery route at about 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 30 when he happened upon the car, which was on fire at the intersection of Barrington and Golf roads in Hoffman Estates. He noticed Cook County Sheriff's Office Deputy Margie Sullivan was still inside the vehicle.
The squad car started on fire after the impact from the crash caused the gas tank to rupture, authorities said.
Xochihua got out of his truck and quickly came to Sullivan's aid just as flames began to enter the driver's compartment of the squad car, according to information provided by Hoffman Estates police. Due to the injuries Sullivan sustained during the crash, she was unable to open her damaged car door, which left her trapped inside.
Find out what's happening in Elginfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Xochihua was honored with a Great Citizen Award during a Hoffman Estates Village Board meeting last week. Authorities, in recommending him for the award, said Xochihua put himself in harm's way to save the deputy's life.
Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod lauded Xochihua for his brave actions during the Nov. 5 meeting, according to the Daily Herald. Xochihua and his family attended the meeting as did Sullivan and some of her colleagues. Sullivan referred to Xochihua as her "angel."
Find out what's happening in Elginfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"This is an amazing story of a citizen saving a public safety employee. It's usually the other way around. But we're glad you were there," McLeod said.
- You can post directly to Elgin Patch by signing up to be a Patch user. You can also get breaking news alerts and daily newsletter by signing up for our newsletters. Subscribe here.
PHOTO VIA THE VILLAGE OF HOFFMAN ESTATES
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
