Two Lake County sheriff’s deputies and a telecommunicator were recently recognized by the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center for their actions helping veterans who were experiencing mental crises.
Deputies Francis Foy and Christopher Orlando and telecommunicator Monika Reum were recognized at a Feb. 5 ceremony at the FHCC in North Chicago.
Foy, who is a member of the crisis outreach team at the sheriff’s office, responded in September to the home of a veteran. Foy was able to create a rapport with the veteran, who was having a mental health crisis. Foy was able to arrange transport to the FHCC for treatment that health care center officials said may have saved the veteran’s life.
In October, Reum took a call from a veteran in mental distress. Thanks to her patience and her ability to obtain crucial information, Reum was able to apprise Deputy Orlando of the situation. Orlando arrived and treated the veteran with compassion, and was able to keep the situation from escalating. That veteran was also transported to FHCC for treatment.
“The incredible work done by Telecommunicator Reum, Deputy Foy, and Deputy Orlando truly highlights how deeply our team cares about those in crisis and our veterans,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “When someone dials 911 and connects with our sheriff’s dispatchers, the caller’s emergency is immediately addressed, while being treated with respect and compassion.
“The community receives that same high level of service when our deputies arrive at the scene,” he continued. “I am very proud of these three and my entire staff.”
K9 assist
The sharp nose of Wauconda police K9 Badger recently led to the arrest of a man on drug possession charges.
WPD said they stopped a motorist on Jan. 31 after multiple traffic violations and, based on probable cause, Badger and his handler came to search the Ford Fusion. The K9 alerted for the presence of drugs, police said, and a subsequent search of the car yielded two crack pipes, 37 grams of a substance that tested positive for crack and 21 oxycodone pills.
The driver, Louis A. Nava, Jr., 51, of Wauconda, was charged with several counts of possession of a controlled substance, including a charge of possession with intent to deliver, police said.
Police academy
The deadline is fast approaching for people interested in participating in the spring Citizens Police Academy Program being offered through the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The next session begins the week of Feb. 19, and runs through April 29. Sessions will be held at the sheriff’s substation in Libertyville, and the station in Waukegan.
Participants will get an inside look at the various departments of the sheriff’s office, and the many functions the office carries out.
“The Community Police Academy is a great opportunity to get an inside look at the operations of your sheriff’s office,” Sheriff Idleburg said. “You will have a chance to hear and learn from the incredible professionals who work for the sheriff’s office. I hope to see you in the academy!”
Application deadline is Feb. 12. For rules and other information, including the application, visit lakecounty.il.gov/sheriff.
Unfounded report
Grayslake police announced this week that a recent report of an attempted kidnapping was unfounded.
Police originally said that someone had reported the attempted kidnapping in the Cherry Creek subdivision on Jan. 26. Police now say the report was unfounded, and the incident is being treated as a juvenile matter.
Correction
Fact fix: In last week’s column, information about grants awarded by the 19th Judicial Circuit was mistakenly attributed to Lake County Judge Mark Levitt. It should have been attributed to Chief Judge Daniel Shanes.