New police offer’s save earns recognition

ALGONQUIN — One of Algonquin Police Department’s newest officers was nominated for McHenry County Chiefs of Police Officer of the Year after he assisted in saving a child through Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Officer Matthew Hunter, who joined the Algonquin Police Department May 4, 2021, had just received CPR training the day before, Sept. 30, the incident from Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Department Battalion  Chief Matthew Berg. The successful use of CPR training helped save the life of a 17 month old toddler who had an incident at a business.

“Not at all,” Officer Hunter said when asked if he was nervous about using the CPR skills.

Hunter found the toddler blue in color and not breathing. “Officer Hunter began CPR and shortly thereafter, the child regained consciousness and responded by crying,” Algonquin Police Chief Dennis Walker said. “The child phased in and out and Officer Hunter continued CPR. When the fire department arrived five minutes after receiving the call, the child was screaming and crying and had recovered and was turned over to the fire department.”

The McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association held the Officer of the Year Reception at the McHenry VFW on Jan. 20. Officers from McHenry County Sheriff’s Department, Algonquin, and Woodstock Police Departments were the nominees.

“Officer Hunter was in great company from officers from around McHenry County who completed acts of valor within their respective communities,” Chief Walker said.

Hunter is a graduate of Sycamore High School and the Illinois Police Training Institute in Champaign. This is his first job in law enforcement.

HFPD CPR classes

CPR instruction is in the national spotlight in part due to successful CPR for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin when he suffered a cardiac arrest at a football game in Cincinnati on Jan. 2.

The Huntley Volunteer Fire Protection District hosts CPR/AED classes every month. The CPR-AED class is certified through the American Heart Association. The cost of the class, limited to 15 people, is $35. The fee covers the cost of the AHA certification card and book. Age is restricted to those age 14 and older and CPR classes are not for health care providers.

The classes take place beginning at 9 a.m. at HFPD Station No. 1. The next CPR-AED monthly class is scheduled for Feb. 25. Other dates are March 29, April 29 and May 31.

If you have questions, or are a local business or group interested in a CPR/AED class, contact Lt. Kelly Gitzke at 224-654-6968 or kgitzke@huntleyfpd. org.

Kane County CPR challenge

In recognition of National Heart Month in February, the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, the Kane County Health Department and Advocate Sherman (CTC) have teamed up to teach as many individuals CPR as possible. Free Classes are available throughout February, with 720 open slots. Classes taught to the public follow the American Heart Association Heart Saver CPR course and will not provide certification. To register, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4baba923a6fec34-kane#/