2010 Elks Officer of the Year's Actions Helped Save Life in Waukesha

A Waukesha police officer, whose actions last summer helped save the life of a victim who had accidentally overdosed during a diabetic episode, was recognized as “2010 Elks Officer of the Year” during Monday’s community service awards from the Elks Lodge No. 400 located on Springdale Road.

The officer, Jeremy Philipps, was asked to check the well-being of the individual at two different locations before forcing entry into the first location to find the individual unconscious and in need of immediate medical attention.

“Officer Philipps is a worthy recipient of this distinguished award,” Police Chief Russell Jack said in an e-mail.

The following letter Jack provided to the Elks Lodge goes into detail the events that lead to Philipps’ award:

On July 21, 2010, Officer Jeremy Philipps responded to an address to check the well-being of a person who had possibly overdosed after taking a significant amount of medication. The person’s physician had called the dispatch center requesting officers check on the person at his home as he feared he may be in need of immediate help. Officer Philipps attempted contact at the person’s home but received no answer at the door. A short while later Officer Philipps received a second call for help for the same person at another residence. He checked there as well but could not find the victim.

Officer Philipps did not give up and when he received new information that a 9-1-1 cell call had come from the area of the first residence he had checked, he went back there. He summoned the fire department to assist as he was certain the victim was in the area.

Officer Philipps arrived at the home and forced entry to get inside the home where he found the victim laying unconscious from a diabetic episode. Due to his condition, the victim had mistakenly ingested too much medication and needed immediate help. First aid was then rendered by the Waukesha Fire Department enabling the victim to survive the incident.

Due to Officer Philipp’s professional tenacity and dedication to his community, a life was saved. His actions bring great credit upon himself, the community he serves and the Waukesha Police Department.