Page 58 - December 2018

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14th District steps up to help fellow officer after fire
■ BY DAN CAMPANA
A November fire in Portage Park gutted
the home of 14th District Officer John Zook, but it inspired an outpouring of support from his colleagues.
The 14th District family immediate- ly jumped into action by launching a GoFundMe campaign to help Zook, his wife and son, who lost their home and belongings to the blaze. The effort raised $19,000 in just its first three weeks.
“It’s tough for him [to accept help], but he’s grateful for all of the support,” said 14th District Commander Fabian Sal- dana.
The financial help is a natural response for those who know and appreciate the 27-year department veteran as someone with a jokester personality.
Thanks to Chicago firefighters, Zook suffered only smoke inhalation and mi- nor burns while trying to rescue the fam- ily dog, Crazy, when the fire broke out on Nov. 12. Zook heard the smoke alarms and spotted flames after getting out of the shower.
Zook desperately searched for Crazy. When the smoke and heat became too much, he ran out of the house for fresh air only to re-enter to continue looking. Saldana, who spoke with Zook in the
hospital, said that the next thing Zook re- membered was being on his front lawn.
Firefighters found Zook on the floor, coughing and gasping for air, and carried him out to safety. After learning about the dog, the firefighters went back inside the burning building without hesitation, discovered Zook’s dog in the living room and carried her out of harm’s way.
On the front lawn, paramedics treat- ed both Zook and his dog for their inju- ries. Zook was rushed to the emergency room, where his condition was upgraded from critical to serious condition after
doctors treated him. Crazy was taken to a neighbor’s house and was making what is expected to be a full recovery.
“[The officers] have vowed to be there for Officer Zook and his family every step of the way...as they deal with this holi- day hardship,” Saldana explained, noting that Zook told him that property can be replaced but lives can’t.
The online fundraiser (www.gofund- me.com/po-zook-fire-recovery-fund), with a goal of $25,000, received dona- tions from hundreds of people in its first month.
58 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2018