Police officers around the nation lately have been getting bad press in gunshot cases, but an Evanston officer has been cited by his department for possibly saving the life of a victim.
The action took place on April 21 in the 1900 block of Jackson Avenue, where a 17-year-old victim was found bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound in his left leg.
Officer William Arzuaga was one of the first officers on the scene and quickly applied a tourniquet in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
The youth was subsequently treated by Evanston Fire Department paramedics and transported to Evanston Hospital for treatment, where doctors discovered the bullet had severed the victim’s artery.
Doctors credited Officer Arzuaga’s quick thinking and proper application of the tourniquet to keep the gunshot victim alive and stabilized until he could arrive at the hospital to be treated by medical personnel for the wound.
In a news release to the media Thursday afternoon, the department “commended the actions of Officer Arzuaga for his quick assessment and proper application of the tourniquet as a life-saving measure.”
He is “a credit to the Evanston Police Department and his actions show his dedication to the Evanston community,” the release said.
Officer Arzuaga has been on the Evanston police force for 11 years and is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
The release stated that, since January 1, on-duty officers of the EPD have been required to carry tourniquets as part of their uniform.
Great job Officer Arzuaga.
Great job Officer Arzuaga. Thank you for looking after our citizens.