Page 39 - January 2021

Tourniquet, training lead to lifesaving response in 019
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Out running errands a few days before Thanksgiving, off-duty Officer John Hanlon didn’t think twice when he spotted smoke and fire pouring from an apartment building in the 500 block of North Avenue.
Hanlon, a tactical officer in the 19th District, parked his vehicle across the street from the building and, as he got out, immediately heard the sound of glass breaking. He quickly realized a man in his early 30s was attempting to bust out of a first-floor window that sat about six feet above the ground.
“He’s punching out the window from the inside, with thick, black smoke billowing through [it], and essentially took a nosedive to the ground in an attempt to escape the fire,” said Hanlon, who has been with CPD for about six years.
Hanlon ran to his car for a first aid kit, while a passerby — “one of the good people of Chicago,” said Hanlon — helped the man over a fence to get away from the burning building. Hanlon returned to find the man had obvious breaks and severe lacerations to his arm, including “bright red blood pulsing from his injuries.”
Based on his LEMAR training and past experiences, Hanlon im- mediately applied a tourniquet and pressure bandage to the man’s arm to slow the bleeding. By that time, police and medics began to arrive on scene, and the man was transported to Northwestern Hospital for further care.
Hanlon first went through LEMAR instruction in the academy and has done refresher courses throughout his career. He credits CPD for ramping up such training and providing resources that al-
low officers to be prepared for those critical moments when they encounter someone with life-threatening injuries. Personally, Han- lon has used his LEMAR skills and tools on a number of occasions when tourniquets, pressure bandages or chest seals have been needed for a gunshot or stab wound — common occurrences, giv- en the violence seen around the city.
“Gratefully, we have tools now that can buy us that time to get [victims] to the ambulance personnel,” Hanlon said, noting he has been able to assemble a LEMAR kit for off-duty use as more sup- plies have been provided to officers for on-duty use.
Whether on or off duty, Hanlon represents “the caliber of officers we have here in the 19th District,” said Captain Paul Kane at a press conference about the incident.
Officers in 022 and 025 go above and beyond to help the homeless
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Officer Frank of the 25th District was waiting to donate the win- ter coats and sweaters he had received from his father-in-law. So when Frank and his patrol partner, Officer Sperindeo, came across Curtis, a homeless man who frequents North Avenue, on Dec. 12, they simply asked, “Hey Curtis, are you cold?” When he said, “Yes,” they sprang into action.
“He’s just really comfortable being out there and doesn’t want any help,” Frank said. “I feel like it’s my responsibility as a police officer to provide resources and help if and when necessary.”
Inspired by members’ desire to serve, officers in 025 and 022 went above and beyond to donate personal belongings to keep the homeless warm for the winter. Sperindeo mentioned how good deeds are contagious.
“Times are tough for pretty much everybody, and having a pos- itive impact on somebody’s life impacts your life as well,” he re- marked. “Happiness spreads, and hopefully the good deeds con- tinue on.”
Samantha Rogers, an officer in the 22nd District, received a call on Dec. 17 to check on the well-being of a homeless woman sleep- ing on the sidewalk on Western Avenue. The woman refused shelter and asked to be left alone. Leaving from the call, Rogers stopped at her house and brought out blankets, pillows and a winter coat to bring back to the woman.
formed by Police Officers that largely go unnoticed,” said Sean G. Joyce, the 22nd District commander. “I could not be more proud of Officer Rogers and the many good-hearted people who choose to serve Chicago’s communities while carrying a Chicago Police star.”
“It is another example of the many kind gestures and deeds per-
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