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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING MARK TOMASIK, FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE
WHEREAS, on Saturday, August 20, 2016, Officer Mark Tomasik played an instrumental role in saving the life of a man who had been the victim of a hit and run accident at Ottawa Woods North in Lyons, Illinois. The man had been riding a motorcycle when hit from behind causing him to become trapped under his motorcycle in a water-filled ditch containing approximately three feet of water. While able to keep his face just above the water line following the accident, the weight of the motorcycle was slowly causing the victim to sink deeper into the water. When Officer Tomasik arrived at the scene he began an immediate search of the darkened roadway when he soon heard muffled cries for help. Officer Tomasik quickly located the victim, entered the water, and grasped the motorcycle and the victim to prevent both from sinking beneath the surface of the water. Officer Tomasik called for help and remained with the victim, straining to hold the immense weight of the motorcycle off of the victim for several minutes until Lyons firefighters and paramedics could find him, and with the help of pulleys and two fire trucks, free the victim and transport him to McNeal Hospital in Berwyn where he made a full recovery; and
WHEREAS, Officer Tomasik, a recent recruit who joined the Forest Preserves’ Law Enforcement Department on April 6, 2015, has already impressed his colleagues with his exemplary conduct and calm demeanor and positive attitude; and
WHEREAS, Officer Tomasik is a military veteran with 20 years of service in the US Army who has completed tours in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan and was honorably discharged before joining the Forest Preserves Law Enforcement Department; and
WHEREAS, Officer Tomasik exemplifies the mission of the Forest Preserves’ Law Enforcement Department which patrols the nearly 70,000 acres of the Forest Preserves’ holdings 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure the welfare of the public and assist the public in the enjoyment of the forest preserves; and
WHEREAS, the Law Enforcement Department is committed to ensuring that every officer is trained to respond to emergency situations, to engage in search and rescue operations, to overcome rugged terrain in order to save persons facing perilous situations, and prepared to administer CPR and other life-saving practices; and
WHEREAS, Officer Tomasik is being commended for his swift, dedicated and decisive action that resulted in a successful life-saving rescue while confronting a dangerous and precarious situation; and
WHEREAS, Officer Tomasik has rendered an invaluable service to this man and his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Officer Tomasik is an exemplar of police professionalism and an inspiration to his fellow officers and all Forest Preserve employees; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize Officer Tomasik for his outstanding service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ceremonial copies of this resolution be presented to Officer Tomasik.
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