Off Duty Detective Renders Aid To Child Having Seizure On Bus
On January 24, 2020, a Lake County Sheriff’s Department detective was instrumental in helping to render medical aid to an unconscious child having a seizure on a school bus.
The incident happened near the intersection of South Indiana Avenue and East Joliet Street in Crown Point. Detective Kyle Sopko was off duty and heading home at about 3 p.m. when he saw a Crown Point School Corporation bus parked in the street with its emergency lights flashing. As Det. Sopko approached the school bus, the rear emergency fire door opened and children inside the bus began to yell and wave for the detective to enter the bus. Detective Sopko boarded the bus and found a child having a seizure on the floor. The detective radioed dispatchers and advised them of the situation while checking the child’s vitals and clearing the child’s mouth. Detective Sopko continued to keep the child’s airway clear while Crown Point Fire EMS arrived.
“I am extremely proud of the initiative, compassion and professionalism Detective Sopko exhibited during this incident,” said Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. “Even though he was off duty, detective Sopko spotted a potentially hazardous situation and immediately took action,” Sheriff Martinez said.
Detective Sopko’s name has been submitted for a commendation, a Sheriffs release said Thursday.
