Deputies honored for saving a life

By Bob Balgemann

REPORTER

Two Boone County Sheriff’s Deputies have received a special award for saving a woman’s life.

Sheriff Dave Ernest introduced the deputies, Tim Oberholster and Christopher Burbach, at the Aug. 17 meeting of the county board.

He explained the deputies responded to a report of a possible drug overdose along Spring Brook Drive near Rockford, but in the unincorporated area of the county. Upon arriving, they found an unresponsive female, and there was evidence of heroin usage.

The sheriff said they applied two doses of Narcan to the woman, at which time she woke up and started breathing normally. Then, she was taken to Rockford Memorial Hospital where she was reported to be recovering.

For their fast action the deputies each received the Life Saving Service Award. Oberholster also is a paramedic and Ernest said, “We are very fortunate to have him on the department.”

County Board Chairman Bob Walberg commended the men for their heroic act and said he was proud of them.

Ernest said Narcan had been issued to deputies a few months ago. He said that was the first time the agent had been used in the field.

Naloxone, another name for Narcan, has been carried by Loves Park, Machesney Park, and Rockford police since sometime in 2015. A number of saved lives have been recorded.

Since the distribution of the agent, training sessions for men and women in the use of Narcan have been held in Machesney Park.