Three Wilmette police officers have been honored for saving a man’s life.

Wilmette Police Officer Nicholas Rizzo, Sgt. Michael McGarry and Cmdr. Patrick Collins responded May 12 to the 800 block of Westwood Avenue after the report of a man down. They found a 61-year-old Chicago man, who was working as a tree trimmer, on the ground and not breathing.

Rizzo and McGarry performed CPR on the man while Collins attached an automated external defibrillator. As a result of the police officers’ actions, the man started breathing again and was taken to a hospital where he was given a pacemaker device, said Wilmette Police Chief Brian King

“He walked out of the hospital 14 days later,” King said, before presenting the three men with plaques honoring their actions at a recent Village Board meeting. “The work of the officers on the scene definitely saved the man’s life.”

Wilmette police have had defibrillators in squad cars since 2000, King said, thanking board members for their support of life-saving equipment.

Village President Chris Canning invited the officers and their family and friends to the front of the council chamber to turn and face television cameras broadcasting the meeting.

“It’s an incredible thing that you were able to do, and it’s something I know you will carry through with you for the rest of your lives,” Canning told them.

PROMOTED TO SERGEANT

Also at the meeting, Roger Okrim was introduced as a police sergeant. He was promoted Nov. 9, having previously served in the department’s detective bureau.

Okrim is a 12-year veteran of the Wilmette Police Department, after starting his law enforcement career in Evanston. He scored highest of six Wilmette officers taking a four-month test to rank members for promotion.

King said Okrim has a “very strong work ethic, a very strong moral character, exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. He is an excellent representative of the Wilmette Police Department.”