Police Officers Thanked For Oglesby River Rescue

AURORA, Ill. (AP) – Two Aurora police sergeants are being honored for their recent rescue of five young rafters who were trapped in the water at a dam on the Vermilion River.

The Illinois Conservation Police plans to honor Sgts. Dan Eppard and Rick Ahlgren today at the Aurora Police Department. Eppard and Ahlgren were off duty and kayaking on the Vermilion near Oglesby June 28th when they saw the young rafters in danger. The officers beached their kayak and threw a rope to the youngsters, pulling them to safety.

The rafters, all boys, ranged in age from 10 to 14. A 10-year-old was treated for hypothermia at the scene. None of the others was injured.