Mayor Honors Police Officer for His Lifesaving Actions

Mayor Jim Holland presented Frankfort Police Officer Michael Pazera with a state lifesaving award at Tuesday's Village Board meeting for saving a student from choking last month.

Pazera, who is the school's DARE officer, performed the Heimlich maneuver on Billy Jonkman on Jan. 25 when the student approached the officer during lunch, indicating he couldn't breathe. The officer was able to dislodge the food--a piece of cheese--from Jonkman's windpipe. 

"It's a wonderful thing," Holland said. "It's nice to see our police are where they can respond effectively."

Jonkman also presented Pazera with a card at the meeting.

"That's not necessary but glad to see everything is great," Pazera said to the boy.

Board members and Pazera's boss also congratulated the officer on his fast thinking and his even faster reactions.

"His quick actions turned something that could've been not so good ... (and) allowed him to save the life of that child," said Police Chief John Burica.