On April 9, 2026, at approximately 4:25 a.m., an officer in a parking lot west of the Joliet Police Department reported hearing a male calling for help from the Des Plaines River.

Additional officers responded and located the male in the water on the west side of the river, near the southern end of the riverwalk in Bicentennial Park.

Officers deployed water rescue equipment and threw ropes to the male, who was able to hold on until the Joliet Fire Department

arrived. Fire personnel entered the water and determined the male was too weak to climb a ladder. A rescue boat was deployed, and the male was safely removed from the river.

The 25-year-old man was transported by the Joliet Fire Department to Saint Joseph Medical Center for treatment. He told officers he had slipped and fallen into the river and was not attempting to harm himself nor did he appear in crisis. It is not known how long the male had been in the water.

“In Joliet, our first responders depend on one another, and this incident is a powerful example of that partnership in action.l,” said Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans.

“Our officers quickly located the individual and took immediate steps to keep him safe until the Joliet Fire Department arrived. Together, they worked seamlessly to bring him out of the water.

“This is what our community can expect, when someone is in need, Joliet’s first responders will show up, work together, and do everything possible to serve our community.”

“This rescue highlights the trust and coordination that exists between the Joliet Fire Department and Joliet Police Department,” Joliet Fire Chief Jeff Carey said.

“Every call we respond to is a team effort, and we rely on each other to achieve the best outcome. In this case, officers kept the individual afloat, and our crews were able to quickly intervene and safely remove him from the water.

“Our message to the community is very simple: Your first responders will never cease working together to help those in need.”