A Sherrard volunteer firefighter was awarded the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police’s Back the Blue Award for his efforts in rendering aid to fallen Knox County Deputy Nicholas Weist.
Donovan Swartz was in his work truck on the morning of April 29, 2022, and observed Deputy Weist getting struck by the vehicle of a fleeing felon. Swartz stopped his truck, ran to the scene, and began rendering emergency first aid to Weist and did so until additional officers arrived on scene. He remained on the scene instructing police officers on first aid protocol.
Swartz started his volunteer fire service with Sherrard Fire Department at the age of 14 in Sherrard’s Fire Cadet program.
The man accused of killing Deputy Weist has been in custody in Henry County since his arrest.
Daylon K. Richardson will be back in Henry County Court on January 17, 2023.
