HR1167 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1167 LRB098 21543 MST 60150 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend Freeport Police Department Patrolman Donald B. Heath on his heroic actions in responding to a house fire on May 21, 2014 and congratulate him on his nomination for the Lifesaving and Rescue Award; and

WHEREAS, On May 5, 2014 at 12:55pm, Officer Heath responded to a house fire call; when he arrived on scene, he heard yelling coming from the back of the residence; he went to the back and determined that a woman was inside of the burning residence, and she could not get out on her own due to being physically disabled; and

WHEREAS, Officer Heath scaled a locked fence and made his way to the back door of the burning house; he opened the back door and located the trapped woman lying on the floor; he carried her outside but could not get away from the house because of a locked fence gate; he stayed with her until Freeport Firefighter Lowery forced the locked gate open; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Lowery stated that the victim's oxygen level was down to 60 when she was pulled out of the house by Officer Heath, and that her life was likely saved by the quick actions of Officer Heath; and

WHEREAS, Officer Heath started with the Freeport Police Department on September 5, 1995; he has served with the Patrol Division his entire career, and, from February 5, 1999 to March 8, 2006, also served as a Field Training Officer; he graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor degree in Law Enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Officer Heath has received numerous commendations and awards during his years of service and always comes to work and does his job while maintaining an upbeat disposition throughout; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Freeport Police Department Patrolman Donald B. Heath on his heroic actions in responding to a house fire on May 21, 2014 and congratulate him on his nomination for the Lifesaving and Rescue Award; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Officer Heath as an expression of our esteem and respect.