Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies saved the life of a man attempting to harm himself, and threatening to kill others, yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2025, to an address on West Verona Avenue, in Unincorporated Lake Villa, for what was initially an assist ambulance call, for a person not breathing. Lake County Sheriff’s 911 Emergency Telecommunicators continued asking the 911 caller important questions and learned that the call involved an adult man who was suffering for an intentional drug/alcohol overdose.
Sheriff’s 911 Telecommunicators stayed on the phone with the 911 caller and began hearing screaming in the background of the phone call. Sheriff’s 911 Telecommunicators learned additional important information that the person who intentionally overdosed threatened to kill any responding deputies, and he was going to try to force deputies to shoot and kill him. Sheriff’s 911 Telecommunicators relayed this significant information to responding deputies, so the deputies were better prepared when they arrived.
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home and located the man inside. Deputies were able to evacuate other people who were in the home to safety. Deputies learned the man recently had a significant life-changing event occur, was in crisis, under the influence, and was armed with a knife. At one point during their interaction the man presented the knife and instructed deputies to shoot him. Sheriff’s deputies utilized their de-escalation/crisis intervention techniques to actively communicate with the man.
After approximately one hour and skilled negotiation, sheriff’s deputies convinced the man to exit the residence peacefully and unarmed. The man was transported to an area hospital for his mental health crisis. Neither he, nor the family, nor the deputies were injured during this tense situation.
“Our deputies demonstrated incredible patience, skill, and compassion in this life-or-death situation. Through outstanding de-escalation techniques, they were able to safely resolve a crisis involving a man in deep distress—without anyone getting hurt. This is the kind of professionalism and dedication they bring to our community every single day. I couldn’t be more proud of their actions!”
— Sheriff John D. Idleburg
The Sheriff’s Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COaST) will be following up with the man and his family, to provide additional Lake County services.
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