Wilmette Police Officer Catches Jumper, Receives Life Saving Award

Wilmette Police Officer Nick Rizzo received a ‘Life Saving Award’ Tuesday for his role in catching a person who jumped off the roof of a local home.

Police Chief Brian King presented Rizzo with the award at Tuesday night’s Village Board meeting.

King spoke at the meeting, explaining how Rizzo’s action under pressure had earned him the award.

“Nick was a responding to a call of a despondent person on the roof of a home,” King said. “As family members attempted to coax the person off of the roof, Officer Rizzo continually monitored the person’s movements. At some point, the person closed their eyes and went into a freefall. Nick placed himself directly underneath and caught the individual as they were falling to the ground. According to hospital staff, the fall could have lead to severe injuries and even death.”

Rizzo was injured during the incident but has since made a full recovery.

King said Wednesday that he had been intentionally vague in describing the circumstances surrounding the jump but could reveal that the incident had occurred within the past year.

Rizzo accepted the award to applause from the board and audience. His wife and three daughters joined him to pose for photographs.

Rizzo thanked Wilmette Police Officer Mark Gamba for his assistance during the incident.

“We worked really hard to have a different outcome,” Rizzo said.

King said the Wilmette Police Department does not get many opportunities to present the Life Saving Award.

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