Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lifesaving Awards were presented to several Knox County first responders for actions that saved the lives of citizens in the county. The awards were presented during an April 7 meeting of Spoon River Valley FOP Lodge 427.
On January 29, 2025 Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Zobrist was dispatched to a residence regarding a 68-year-old unresponsive male who was found on the floor in his bedroom. A family member was performing CPR on the victim. Deputy Zobrist utilized the department issued AED and shocked the victim twice. EMS arrived on the scene moments later and took over the lifesaving measures. The EMS medical personnel credited Deputy Zobrist stating his quick use of the AED saved the victims’ life.
On March 13, 2025 Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Samuel Holman was dispatched to a residence in response to an activated medical alert pendant. After Holman and another deputy found no one inside the residence, they discovered that the subject’s walker and cane were missing, which led them to search outbuildings on the property. Holman located an elderly man sitting in his vehicle in the closed garage with the engine running in an apparent suicide attempt. The elderly man was removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital. If Deputy Holman did not complete a thorough check of the property, the outcome would have been tragic.
On March 15, 2025 Knox County Sheriff’s Sergeant Brenden Ankrom and East Galesurg firefighter Russell Preston were dispatched to a call about an unresponsive woman. When Sergeant Ankrom and Firefighter Preston arrived at the scene, family members had begun performing CPR. Preston took over CPR while Ankrom maintained the victim’s airway. Ankrom then utilized his department issued AED to shock the victim. Additional EMS personnel arrived on the scene and took over the lifesaving measures. The paramedics on scene advised that Ankrom and Preston’s actions that day saved the victim’s life.
On March 26, 2025 Galesburg Police Officer Patrick Hayes, who was off duty at the time, stopped along Illinois Route 97 to provide lifesaving measures to a subject found along the road. Officer Hayes provided seven rounds of CPR prior to the arrival of the first responders who used an AED to shock the victim. Eight additional rounds of CPR and three more shocks were administered before additional EMS personnel arrived on the scene and took over the lifesaving measures. The EMS medical personnel stated that Officer Hayes’ quick response with CPR saved the subject’s life.
***Courtesy of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police***
