On March 27, 2017 Marine Unit Deputy Jonathan Levin was named ‘2016 Deputy of the Year’ by the Illinois Sheriff’s Association at their Winter Conference held in East Peoria. 

On July 16, 2016 at approximately 3:10PM, Deputy Levin was in his personal vehicle. He just completed his shift at the Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Unit and was driving home, traveling northbound on State Park Road just south of Grass Lake Road in Fox Lake.

As Deputy Levin was driving, he came across the scene of a serious traffic crash involving a pickup truck and three motorcycles. He immediately positioned his personal vehicle to block traffic, so the victims of the crash were protected from other vehicles driving through the wreckage.

Deputy Levin exited his vehicle and observed a pickup truck on fire with two motorcyclists trapped underneath. Deputy Levin, without any hesitation, pulled both of the trapped motorcyclists to safety away from the growing fire. He then administered first-aid until Fox Lake Paramedics arrived and assumed patient care.

The crash resulted in one of the trapped motorcyclists passing away and the other survived the horrific crash, due to the quick actions of Deputy Levin.

Sheriff Mark Curran said, “I am very proud of Deputy Levin’s heroic actions and excited to see him named Deputy of the Year by the Illinois Sheriff’s Association.”

Undersheriff Ray Rose said, “There is no doubt Deputy Levin’s actions went above and beyond the call of duty on July 16th. Because of his quick thinking and brave actions, he was able to save someone’s life.”

Deputy Levin was previously honored on January 24, 2017, at the Fox Lake Village Board meeting by Mayor Donny Schmit, the Village Board, and Chief of Police Russell Laine, for his life-saving actions at a traffic crash.