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Two Des Plaines Police Officers Honored For Life-Saving Actions


Left to right: Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski, Officer Michael Kurotobi, Officer John Doherety, Chief Dave Anderson. (Des Plaines Police Department/Photo)

Two Des Plaines police officers, John Doherty and Michael Kurotobi, were recognized with life-saving awards at the Des Plaines City Council meeting Monday, Aug. 1.

According to Des Plaines Police Department, on Jan. 14, 2022, Doherty responded to the 500 block of Howard Avenue for a report of a person who collapsed and was not breathing. Upon arriving, a 58-year-old male was in cardiac arrest who was unconscious and not breathing.

An individual on scene, who wishes to remain anonymous, was already performing CPR on the patient until Doherty arrived. He was later awarded a Citizen Service Award from the Des Plaines Police Department.

Doherty assisted with the CPR efforts that saved the man’s life. Des Plaines paramedics arrived to restore the patient’s pulse and breathing, who then transported the patient to Lutheran General Hospital for further treatment.

“The employee and officer Doherty’s quick decision making resulted in saving the life of an unresponsive patient,” Des Plaines Police Department Chief Dave Anderson said.

The other life saving award went to office Kurotobi, where on Feb. 4, 2022, he and additional officers responded to the 100 block of Drake Lane for a call of a baby not breathing.

According to police, Kurotobi located the distraught mother and her baby in the living room. Kurotobi immediately took the baby, checked the airway, and in accordance with his training, began to give the baby back blows.

The baby resumed breathing and began to cry, indicating the airway had been cleared, and then transported to Lutheran General Hospital by the Des Plaines Fire Department for further treatment.

“Officer Kurotobi’s quick response and subsequent actions prevented the loss of a young life,” Chief Anderson said.

Both officers were awarded plaques from Anderson and city officials.

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