Lockport Police Officer Credited with Saving Baby

He was in the right place at the right time.

Veteran Lockport Police Officer Dennis Ivanich was recognized last week for helping save the life of a 4-week-old baby girl, according to the Southtown Star, receiving the department's Life Saving Medal.

My Suburban Life last month reported that Ivanich, an 18-year-veteran of the police department, and 19-year vet Officer Ron Smiles, were on an unrelated call May 29 in the Sunset Ridge subdivision when they got an ambulance assist call in the same neighborhood.

The officers received a call of a child who was not breathing, but according to Ivanich, the initial report said the child was 3 years old.

When Ivanich and Smiles arrived, they instead found mom Debbie Meyer performing CPR on baby Elizabeth, the Southtown Star reported.

According to My Suburban Life, Ivanich began performing CPR on the baby, continuing until Smiles let him know a Lockport Township ambulance had arrived. The officers rushed the girl to paramedics, who took her to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

Baby Elizabeth was later diagnosed with cervical stenosis, a condition that causes compression of the spinal cord. After surgery, she's doing well, the Southtown Star reported.

Ivanich received his award from Police Chief Terry Lemming last week. Smiles was also recognized for his assistance.