A Round Lake Beach police commander was presented with a lifesaving award for rendering aid and stopping a vehicle whose driver was experiencing a medical emergency.
Round Lake Beach Police Department Commander Paul Grace was presented with the award during Monday’s village board meeting.
Round Lake Beach Chief of Police Wayne Wilde Jr. said Grace was off-duty and on his way to work in the morning hours of May 11.
Grace spotted a vehicle drifting across lanes into oncoming traffic near Rollins Road and Cedar Lake Road.
The person driving was experiencing a medical emergency, Wilde said.
The person’s vehicle was running and the transmission was in “drive.”
The doors were locked and the windows were rolled up.
Grace used his handcuffs to successfully break a window and immediately put the car in park.
By the time Grace got the vehicle stopped, it had crossed all lanes of traffic, Wilde said.
Grace rendered aid to the man, who was transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation. He later recovered.
“Your immediate actions and disregard for your own safety not only saved the driver’s life, but several others, had this vehicle traveled into the intersection during the morning commute — most likely causing a serious crash,” Wilde said during the board meeting.
“We would like to congratulate you on a job well done,” Wilde added.
Grace has been a police officer with the Village of Round Lake Beach since 2000.
He was promoted to detective in 2012 and then commander in 2018.