An Antioch police officer received an award Wednesday for his actions in helping a driver who was injured and trapped in her vehicle following a head-on rollover crash in Antioch.
Antioch Police Officer Ray Galioto is the first recipient of the department’s Commendation Award.
The award stemmed from Galioto’s actions on November 18 at a traffic crash with injuries at Route 173 and Grimm Road in Antioch.
Galioto was one of the first to arrive on the scene and discovered one of the drivers involved in the crash was pinned in their vehicle, which was rolled over.
The minivan had been involved in a head-on collision and both cars rolled over.
Galioto entered the woman’s minivan through the rear hatch, climbing over and around blood-covered debris, broken glass and the badly deformed passenger compartment.
For more than 30 minutes, Galioto used his body to support the driver and shield her from breaking glass as the fire department was cutting the vehicle apart.
Officials said that Galioto remained focused on protecting and comforting the driver, who was experiencing severe pain because of her injuries.
Galioto remained at the victim’s side until she was removed from the vehicle.
Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow described Galioto as “a reflection of the highest caliber of police officers our community is blessed with having.”
Guttschow said the Commendation Award was created to recognize actions in circumstances where a police officer demonstrates an outstanding performance of their duties under unusual, complicated or hazardous conditions.
“Officer Galioto’s actions that evening embody what it means to be a public servant,” Guttschow said.
Galioto has been a police officer for more than 12 years and served the Village of Antioch since 2020.
The award was presented to Galioto during Wednesday’s Antioch Village Board meeting.