Lockport Officers Honored For Saving Boy's Life

LOCKPORT, IL — Two Lockport Police officers were presented with Lifesaving Awards at Wednesday's committee of the whole meeting. Officer Jesus Reyes and Detective Nathan Kocurek were recognized during the meeting and given the award for saving a young boy's life.

On Nov. 16, 2020, Reyes and Kocurek were dispatched to the Ninth Street bridge for an 11-year-old boy who was threatening to jump off, Police Chief Terry Lemming said. The boy was standing on the edge of the bridge when officers arrived, and could've fallen at any moment, Lemming said.

"Officer Reyes immediately began engaging the young man in conversation, as Detective Kocurek worked his way behind the boy silently," Lemming said. Reyes continued to talk to the boy, and Kocurek was able to grab him and pull him away from the edge of the bridge.

"The efforts of both officers put them in a situation where their own lives were in jeopardy if the boy resisted or tried to jump when they grabbed him," Lemming said.

The boy was taken to the hospital, where he received treatment, Lemming said.

"Thank you guys for doing what you did," Mayor Steve Streit said.