Illinois EMS Coordinator Honored for Saving a Life

More than 100 Illinois State Police troopers and civilian employees were honored Wednesday for outstanding work during the previous year.

Locally, a Lifesaving Medal went to Sharon White, an Emergency Medical Services coordinator at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield, for helping save the life of another diner at Joe Rogers Chili Parlor last fall.

White, 44, of Auburn, said she went to the restaurant at 820 S. Ninth St. with three co-workers for lunch on Oct. 6. As she was eating, someone said it appeared another customer was choking. She said the man was leaning on a table, and another man was trying to help him.

White, because of her job and through working on the Auburn rescue squad, is trained in a variety of emergency medical procedures. She went over to the choking man and administered three or four abdominal thrusts to dislodge the obstruction, which turned out to be a chili cracker.

"He was OK after that. He was just scared," she said. "It caught me off-guard, I have to admit. But the training kicked in. I remember doing some very precise things that I always use when I'm teaching."

State police officials announced the agency's police officer, telecommunicator and forensic scientist of the year awards during the ceremony, which took place in Springfield. All three awards went to employees in Joliet.

Area nominees for Officer of the Year were Trooper Larry Gowdy of District 9 in Springfield, Trooper William Langheim of District 18 in Litchfield and Trooper Stephen Schuwerk of District 20 in Pittsfield.

Area nominees for Telecommunicator of the Year were Christy Cass of the Springfield Communications Center and Sherri Deeder of District 20.

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