THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF MARCH 11, 2007
Police Pull Man From Van With Only Seconds To Spare
By STEFAN SCHUMACHER
Journal Reporter
Two Glenview Police officers, working the sometimes taxing midnight shift, saved a man who had crashed his van into a tree from either death or serious injury on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at approximately 1 a.m.
"There's no doubt in my mind that the driver would've died or suffered severe injuries had it not been for the important actions of these two officers," Midnight Shift Commander Scott Stewart said of officers David Maize and Rob Francois.
When Maize and Francois arrived on the scene at the 2500 block of Harrison Street, the engine compartment of the van was already on fire, and the approximately 55-year-old, 250-lb. driver was slumped over, conscious, but unable to move.
The officers opened the door of the vehicle and carried the man to a safe area. Just seconds later, the entire passenger department of the van was engulfed in flames.
The driver ended up suffering only minor injuries from the incident.
"They couldn't wait for the fire department," said Stewart, noting that Maize and Francois had to think and act quickly.
"From a supervisory perspective, I've gotta tell you I'm real proud of these officers," he went on. "Actually the entire midnight shift are a dedicated group that go out every night and they're motivated to protect the life and property of the folks here in Glenview."
Stewart said the midnight shift, which works 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., can be extremely difficult work.
"I don't think as humans we're meant for it," said Stewart.
However, he said like missing holidays, birthdays, or a child's school play, the drawbacks of an abnormal work schedule are part of the job.
Working the night shift requires even more focus on being alert.
"You have to come on being mentally and physically prepared to handle everything," said Stewart. "It's not easy to do all the time, but we have to because of the nature of the job."