ISU Police Chief honored with award after saving a man’s life

Posted on October 28, 2023
Illinois State University Chief of Police, Aaron Woodruff (left), received the award earlier this month. (Photo courtesy: ISU PD/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – The top cop at Illinois State University received one of the biggest awards for a cop this month for saving a man’s life.

During an event at ISU, an individual suffered a cardiac arrest who then fell unconscious and stopped breathing.

ISU Chief Aaron Woodruff stepped in, applying immediate chest compressions, while another person provided rescue breathing.

“Somebody thought he was having a stroke and (I) couldn’t feel a pulse. We figured he was in cardiac arrest so we started chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth. We got an AED there eventually and then rescue showed up,” said Woodruff on WJBC’s Afternoon Show. “We’re the real hero’s I guess, I don’t know.”

During a surprise ceremony this month, Chief Woodruff received the prestigious Life Saving Award for his actions.

Chief Woodruff said the man is recovering at home after a short stent in the hospital.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…