The Elgin Police Department is congratulating 16-year-old Andrew Wilson, a Police Explorer and son of Elgin police officer Greg Wilson, who last Friday while at a chess conference in Peoria performed CPR on a young girl that saved her life. Andrew will receive a lifesaving award at the annual police employee recognition ceremony to be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 6, at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way.

“You’ve just gotta love this kid!” Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda says on the Elgin Police Department Facebook page. “Way to go, Andrew — we can’t say it enough!

The incident occurred last Friday at a chess conference in Peoria that Andrew was attending. Andrew heard yelling from the hotel pool area where the conference was being held. Andrew also heard someone call out that they needed help and if anyone knew CPR. Andrew went to the pool area and began to perform CPR on a young girl, and by utilizing his CPR skills that he learned from the Explorer program, he was able to save her life.

The Elgin Police Explorer program was formed in 1978 and presently has about 62 members. It serves as a gateway for many area youth to work with the Elgin police, and in several cases it has opened doorways to law enforcement careers. The program consists of area youth ranging from 14 to 20 years of age. Each Explorer is expected to attend weekly training programs and to volunteer. The CPR course that Andrew took was part of the training programs and was taught by Elgin officers.

Andrew has been an Elgin Police Explorer since 2013. He has participated in more than 60 hours of service to the community working at various events. Andrew is not only dedicated to the Explorer program but to his school work and school related activities.

“I am proud of Andrew and all the Explorers, for their service to our community,” Swoboda said. “I am also proud of the members of the Elgin Police Department who participate in the program and serve as mentors and teachers, providing guidance and training for the Explorers. This is another example that when you take the time to invest in kids they will meet or exceed our expectations more often then they disappoint us.”

SOURCE: Elgin Police Department press release

Video, Interviews and More

• Fox News Chicago: Teen utilizes CPR to save young girl’s life
• NBC5 Chicago: 16-Year-Old Boy to Receive Award From Elgin Police Department For Saving Life of Young Girl
• CBS2 Chicago:  Streamwood Teen Uses CPR To Save Girl’s Life
• Chicago Tribune: Streamwood High student gives CPR to girl at poolside