Deputy Who Saved Dozens Of Dogs From Fire Hailed As Hero

WEST CHICAGO, IL -- DuPage County Deputy Chris Obrochta grabbed one more cage before he finally exited the flame-engulfed D and D Kennels in the early morning hours of Jan. 14. Obrochta had already saved dozens of dogs from the fast-moving fire after he ran inside of the burning building, which served as a training facility and shelter for dogs, many of them "bully types."

Obrochta's selfless actions helped more than 20 dogs get out of the devastating fire safely and led DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin to hail him as a hero in an official proclamation. The proclamation recognized Deputy Obrochta's "quick thinking and selfless determination to aid dozens of animals in danger at the risk of his own safety."

Just after 5 a.m., the proclamation states, Obrochta noticed the flames and smoke coming from the shelter on County Farm Road and called the West Chicago Fire Department. When Obrochta got to the scene, DuPage officials say the flames had ripped through the first and second floor of D and D Kennels.

Nonetheless, Obrochta helped an employee who lived at the facility to get as many dogs out alive as possible, officials say. As the kennel continued to fill with smoke, Obrochta reportedly told the employee to leave before he stayed behind and grabbed "one last cage" that had a big dog inside of it.

Obrochta's actions, DuPage officials wrote, "represent the highest standards of professionalism, heroism and compassion."

Related: Community Rallies To 'Find Hope And Healing' After Kennel Fire

Image via DuPage County Sheriff's Office