8 Geneva Police Officers Receive Lifesaving Awards From Chief

GENEVA, IL — Eight officers with the Geneva Police Department received Life Saving Medals at Monday's City Council meeting for their heroic efforts.

Police Chief Eric Passarelli presented the awards to sergeant Brad Jerdee and George Carbray and officers Bob Pech, Quantrell Priest, Megan Solner, Matt Adam, Erica Bolger and Hunter Winterstein. The Life Saving Medal is awarded to officers for an act performed in the line of duty, which, through disregard for personal safety and prompt and alert reactions, saved someone's life, according to the police department's internal policy.

Jerdee and Pech received the award for helping locate and save a woman who was suicidal Sept. 15, 2021. After receiving information from a family member, Pech researched the situation to find locations to search before forwarding the details to Jerdee. The sergeant later discovered the woman unconscious in a locked vehicle at a park and forced his way into the car to provide emergency life-saving care until paramedics arrived, according to Passarelli.

"I'm absolutely convinced without their dedication, devotion and their effort in trying to locate this victim and then rendering aid once they were found, they wouldn't be with us today," the chief said.

Bolger and Winterstein were honored for helping a person who was choking. The officers helped dislodge a piece of steak while at the person's Geneva residence Jan. 15, 2022.

"To have him walk out of the hospital is a huge testament to Officer Bolger and Officer Winterstein," Passarelli said.

The third life-saving incident — for which Carbray, Priest, Solner, Adam and Winterstein were recognized — happened May 4. Officials said the five first responders saved a man who was contemplating suicide on the Union Pacific railway running over the Fox River. The officers were able to de-escalate the situation after the man, armed with two knives, threatened to jump.

Their efforts lasted more than an hour and resulted in a non-confrontational and successful ending. Police said the man ultimately complied with officers' verbal directions to come off the train trestle to receive care from paramedics.

Passarelli praised the eight officers at Monday's meeting, commending them for their bravery and skills in providing professional care.

"The difference that was made is concrete and obvious and impactful," Passarelli said at the meeting.