Lisle Village Board Honors Five Individuals for Heroic Efforts

Picture captions below.

Two separate, and serious traffic accidents that occurred in Lisle in May and July of this year brought out the heroes in three police officers and two private citizens. The Lisle Village Board honored these individuals for their efforts to assist others during their times of need during a Village Board meeting held on Monday, August 20, 2018.

Life Saving Awards were given to Lisle Police Officers Pat Mahoney and Dean Anders due to their efforts during a traffic accident on May 15, that occurred in the 700 block of Ogden Avenue, and involved a head-on collision. The accident caused several people to be trapped in vehicles, some of which were bleeding and had life-threatening injuries. Once victims were freed from their vehicles, both officers applied bandages and tourniquets to stop the bleeding before ambulances arrived.

A Department Commendation was given to Officer Rob Sommer, who was also a first responder during this accident. He was recognized for assistance he provided to the injured and their families during the follow-up investigation. His efforts were described as, “beyond the call of duty.”

Civilian Life Saving Awards were also given to Blanca Gomez and Christine Gray, stemming from a July 25 traffic accident in the 700 block of Maple Avenue. The two women helped to pull an injured driver from her vehicle and moved her a safe distance away from the accident scene. Just moments later, the woman’s car became engulfed in flames. Gray and Gomez’s efforts were recognized as instrumental in saving the woman’s life. (Gomez was unable to attend the meeting to accept her award in person).

The Village of Lisle Police Department's Awards and Citations Program recognizes personal achievements, meritorious service, and heroic actions of citizens and law enforcement personnel who have contributed significantly to the accomplishments of the Police Department, and the law enforcement profession.

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Picture #1: Left to right: Lisle Police Sergeant Rob Sommer, Kathleen Macewich (victim's wife), Officer Dean Anders, Wayne Macewich (victim who police assisted with bandages and tourniquets to stop his bleeding at the scene ) and Officer Pat Mahoney. This accident on May 15, 2018 was heavily reported in the news; one person died as a result of it, and two police officers were hospitalized.

Picture #2: Left to right: Lisa Vassar (victim's mother), Christine Gray (received Life Saving Award), Madeline Vassar (victim pulled from the vehicle) and Lisle Police Chief Dave Anderson. (Blanca Gomez also was honored with the Life Saving Award for her efforts, but was not able to attend the Village Board meeting). This accident was alsohighly publicized; the two women pulled the victim from her vehicle just minutes before the car was engulfed in flames. See a picture of the car in flames here. (credit Lisle Police Department)

About the Life Saving Award and Departmental Commendation:

Lifesaving Award: An award granted to any member of the Department or Civilian for a successful effort in saving a human life, which involved exceptional courage or performance. If the person's action led to the
prolonging of life to the extent that the victim was released to medical authorities.

Departmental Commendation: An award granted to any member of the Department for outstanding performance of duty under unusual or difficult conditions. The action need not involve exposure to physical danger, but must involve the protection of life or property, and involve unusual thoroughness, conscientiousness, determination, and initiative. An officer from another law enforcement agency may also receive this award for rendering aid, assisting, or working in conjunction with an officer of this Department.