Palos Park Police Officers Recognized For Saving Preschoolers, Taking Drunks Off Road

PALOS PARK, IL—The Village of Palos Park recognized eight police officers at Monday's village board meeting for their efforts in saving preschoolers after a pickup truck crashed into their classroom and for being recognized as the top DUI officers by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists

On May 17, 2025, Deputy Chief Chris Hughes, Ofcr. John Winter, Ofcr. Bill Sanchez and Ofcr. Scott Van Wagner responded to the Church of the Transfiguration, where a pickup truck had crashed through the wall into a preschool classroom.

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"Without hesitation, the officers acted immediately to help those in need. Due to their actions at the scene, there were no catastrophic injuries' to of those inside the church," Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk said. "Three children were taken to at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, and the driver of the pickup truck is at Palos who suffered a medical emergency while driving was taken to Palos Northwestern."

Officer Van Wagner and Deputy Chief Hughes were both hospitalized for observation after the accident with lung injuries from breathing in construction debris.

"We are extremely grateful for the quick action and response by our staff members and the r many partner agencies that assisted in this matter, including the Palos Fire District, Palos Heights Fire District, Orland Fire District and many fire/EMS departments and districts that responded to the mutual aid Box alarm," Polk said. "The Cook County Sheriff's Police patrol and investigative staff and the Palos Heights Police Department, who made sure all the first responders were provided food while working the scene, and A Auto Towing staff that spent hours working side by side with first responders."

Every year, AAIM surveys over 700 police agencies in Illinois to find the top DUI officers. AAIM honors the remarkable achievements of officers dedicated to combating impaired driving and supporting crash victims by presenting them with award certificates.

Four officers from the Palos Park Police Department were recognized by AAIM as "Top Cops" for their DUI enforcement efforts, including Sgt. Ross Chibe and Ofcrs. Rebecca Duffy, John Winter and Brain Adcock.

Every year people are killed and thousands severely injured as a result of alcohol- and drug-related crashes in Illinois," Polk said. "We are proud of all of our Palos Park police officers' efforts to keep our roadways and community safe."