Oak Brook Officers Honored For Rescuing Woman From Car Fire

OAK BROOK, IL --- A group of Oak Brook police officers and emergency responders were awarded a special honor for saving a woman whose car flipped and became engulfed in flames in early October. The six officers received the Meritorious Service Medal Award for their successful rescue of a woman who was unconscious and trapped inside the vehicle.

The entrapment accident took place on Oct. 5 just before 4 a.m. near the Route 83 ramp and I-88. According to police, Officers Walsh and Peterson used a fire extinguisher to fight back the flames, which allowed Officer Baca to shatter the car's rear passenger window. Officers Marek and Ramirez were then able to remove the victim from the car safely.

In a police summary, Oak Brook Fire Battalion Chief Clark said the car was "fully involved in fire" and the accident would have "proved fatal" if it weren't for the quick actions of responding officers.

Image via Oak Brook Police Department