Lake County Forest Preserves Officer Michael Viramontes (left) and Sgt. Bradley Ehrhardt (right) with Director of Public Safety Ron Davis. The two officers were recognized for locating a man missing overnight in the frigid temperatures. | Provided Photo

Two Lake County Forest Preserves police officers helped locate a man who went missing for 13 hours in frigid temperatures in a forest preserve in Wadsworth.

Lake County Forest Preserve Police Sgt. Bradley Ehrhardt was presented with a Meritorious Service Award and Officer Michael Viramontes received a Lifesaving Award on Wednesday.

The awards for the two officers were given for their “extraordinary dedication” in locating a missing man on November 30.

Both officers were recognized with proclamations for their “heroic efforts” in rescuing the man who had been lost in Wadsworth Savanna Forest Preserve for about 13 hours in frigid 12-degree temperatures.

The man had been reported missing from his home in Wadsworth around 9 p.m. on November 29.

His hoodie and gloves were found in an area of Wadsworth Savanna Forest Preserve that is dense with brush and trees and has no developed trails.

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Drones and canine units were deployed. Officers from other agencies suspended the search after about six hours.

Ehrhardt reactivated the search at sunrise the next morning after learning the man was still missing.

All available on-duty officers divided up and continued the effort on foot, combing through the heavily wooded area.

Viramontes found the man at about 10 a.m. standing in a forested area near the train tracks at the southern end of the preserve following two hours of searching,

The man explained that he had started walking in the preserve as night fell but became lost and unable to find his way home.

“He had been wandering all night,” said Cmdr. Scott Banaszynski. “Thankfully, he kept moving, which likely saved his life by helping him stay warmer than if he had stopped or fallen asleep in the freezing conditions.”

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Paramedics transported the man to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he was treated for frostbite and irregular heartbeat, which was likely caused by prolonged exposure to the cold.

“We’re incredibly grateful that he’s safe and recovering well,” Banaszynski said.