Palos Cop Who Found Lost Elderly Couple To Be Recognized

PALOS PARK, IL — A Palos Park police officer will be honored during the village council meeting Sept. 13 for the role he played in finding an elderly couple who were found on a dark road 900 miles from home.

Officer Ross Chibe was patrolling the western heavily forested areas of Palos Park just after midnight July 27, when he noticed a car ahead of him. The car was driving very slowly, stopping and then starting again. Chibe followed the car until he was able to make contact with an older couple in the 70s.

>>> Disoriented, Elderly Couple Found Driving 900 Miles From Home

The couple, last seen at home in South Carolina several days earlier, had been driving off and on for days and sleeping in their car. They were starting to have memory issues and kept on driving, and didn’t keep track of where they were or where they were going. Both were taken to Palos Community Health for evaluation. Chibe stayed with the couple and was eventually able to contact their son in Las Vegas.

Chibe’s quiet heroic deed came to the attention of Kevin Jameson, president of the Dementia Society of America, who wished to recognize Chibe’s “caring commitment and dedication to helping someone in need.”

Jeannine Forrest, PhD., R.N., a dementia educator and care consultant, will represent the Dementia Society of America in recognizing Chibe at the upcoming village council meeting. The society strives to enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia, their caregivers and the community through education and awareness.