Oswego Police Officer Awarded Illinois Law Enforcement Medal Of Honor

OSWEGO, IL — An Oswego police officer is this year's Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor recipient.

Officer Brandon Dilg was honored during a ceremony held in May in Springfield. The Medal of Honor is awarded to officers who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty or who displayed exceptional bravery or heroism while performing their duties, officials said in a news release Wednesday.

Dilg received the award as a result of his actions and burn injuries received in a car fire on Nov. 28, 2017. He was one of several officers from multiple agencies to respond to a crash in the Montgomery Police Department's jurisdiction that resulted in a car engulfed in flames.

When officers arrived, the driver refused to exit and resisted police's attempts to pull him out. Dilg received third-degree burns extracting the driver since he had to open the door, which was on fire, and reach into the burning car to pull the man out.

"The man in the vehicle was refusing to exit, requiring officers to forcefully remove him from the vehicle which extended their exposure to the fire," Oswego police said in a news release after the incident. "The officers ultimately removed the man from the vehicle, saving his life while putting their safety at risk."

Officer Cassie Catberro, retired Officer Matt Unger and Officer James Novy also responded to the incident that night.

In 2017, former Chief Jeff Burgner honored Dilg with the department's highest honor, the Medal of Valor, for his heroic efforts, WSPY News reported.