Forest Preserves officers honored for saving man in bitter cold

LIBERTYVILLE – Two Lake County Forest Preserves police officers were honored Jan. 15 for extraordinary dedication in finding a missing man.

Officer Michael Viramontes received a Lifesaving Award.

Sgt. Bradley Ehrhardt was presented with a Meritorious Service Award.

Both officers were recognized with proclamations for their heroic efforts in rescuing a man who had been lost in Wadsworth Savanna Forest Preserve for about 13 hours in frigid 12-degree temperatures.

On Nov. 29, 2024, a man was reported missing at 9 p.m. from his home in Wadsworth. His hoodie and gloves were found in an area of Wadsworth Savanna that is dense with brush and trees and has no developed trails.

Drones and K-9 units were deployed. Officers from other agencies suspended the search after about six hours.

At sunrise the next morning upon learning the man had not returned home, Ehrhardt reactivated the search. All available on-duty officers divided up and continued the effort on foot, combing through the heavily wooded area.

After about two hours of searching, Viramontes found the man at about 10 a.m. standing in a forested area near the train tracks at the southern end of the preserve.

The man said he had started walking in the preserve as night fell but became lost and unable to find his way home.

“He had been wandering all night,” Cmdr. Scott Banaszynski said in a news release. “Thankfully, he kept moving, which likely saved his life by helping him stay warmer than if he had stopped or fallen asleep in the freezing conditions.”

Paramedics took the man to Condell Hospital where he was treated for frostbite and irregular heartbeat likely caused by prolonged exposure to the cold.

“We’re incredibly grateful that he’s safe and recovering well,” Banaszynski said.