Tinley Park Mayor's Wife Chokes, Police Swoop In To Save Her

TINLEY PARK, IL — A weekend of celebration and socializing at the Tinley Park Block Party turned frightening fast Sunday, when Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz looked at his wife and saw fear in her eyes: she was choking.

Panicked, Glotz turned to Tinley Park Police Commander Poulos and Deputy Chief Rafferty for help, but moments later, Police Sgt. Chris Butler flew in and began performing the Heimlich maneuver.

"I will be forever grateful to Police Sergeant Chris Butler," Glotz posted on social media Sunday evening. "He swooped in from behind and performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the piece of steak stuck in her esophagus and save her life."

"Seeing my wife and best friend look at me with the universal sign that she was choking was heartbreaking. I couldn't imagine life without her."

The two have been married since 1994, and have two children together, Katie (25) and Kyle (24).

Glotz went on to thank others, including Trustee Colleen Sullivan and Bill Brady, Police Chief Matt Walsh, Deputy Chief Tom Tilton, Fire Chief Steve Klotz, Deputy Chief Dan Reda, Assistant Chief Kris Dunn, Village Manager Pat Carr, and AMR/Kurtz for checking on his wife after the incident.