A Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy was awarded the Governor’s Medal of Honor for bravery displayed in protecting officers and a civilian against a man wielding a meat cleaver last year near Round Lake.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Martini received the award from Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Springfield Monday as part of a ceremony honoring law enforcement officers for heroism in the line of duty.
“I am incredibly proud of Deputy Martini, so proud of all the brave men and women at the sheriff’s office and police officers everywhere who put their lives on the line every single day,” said Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg. “Deputy Martini put himself in the direct path of danger to ensure an innocent bystander and his partner were safe. He risked his own life to save others, which is true heroism.”
Martini won the award after an injured man armed with a meat cleaver lunged at deputies trying to provide medical aid to him near Round Lake in October.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around to the 34200 block of North Barberry Court in unincorporated Round Lake where they received a report of a man bleeding and needing help, authorities said.
The 911 caller believed the person had committed suicide and deputies found an adult male unconscious and unresponsive on a mattress in the living room of the home.
While deputies tried to render aid, the man woke up and grabbed a meat cleaver that was on the floor next to him. As officers and the resident retreated, the man charged, forcing the deputy to open fire, authorities said.
Deputies attempted life saving measures at the scene before handing the situation over to paramedics for medical care. He was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.