Three Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies saved the life of a 42-year-old man attempting suicide, while serving an order of protection.  

On November 22, 2019, at approximately 11:45AM, sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve the 42-year-old man of the 39300 block of Castleford Lane, Beach Park, with an order of protection.  The man didn’t answer the door and sheriff’s deputies left the residence.  After leaving, sheriff’s deputies learned yesterday was the second day in a row the man didn’t go to work.  Sheriff’s deputies attempted to call the man via telephone, he didn’t answer, so they left a message explaining why they were previously at his residence.

At approximately 12:30PM, the man called back saying he was home and available to be served with the order of protection.  Sheriff’s deputies returned to the home around 1:10PM, and knocked on the door, but nobody answered.  Two alert sheriff’s deputies noticed a vehicle running in the closed garage and they observed somebody was sitting in the vehicle unresponsive.  

Another sheriff’s deputies arrived and the three forced entry into the garage.  They found the 42-year-old man breathing, but unconscious inside the vehicle.  They removed the man from the carbon monoxide filled garage and carried him to safety.  The man was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he is expected to recover, and will receive mental health care.  

Sheriff John Idleburg said, “Our staff routinely go above and beyond during every interaction they have with the community, and this is another example.  Instead of simply leaving the residence after not receiving an answer at the door, they did some additional investigating and found this man actively attempting suicide.  The three deputies sprang into action and undoubtedly saved his life.  I am very proud of Deputies Tom Flores, Brian Kilpatrick, and Kyle Macko.”