Lee County Deputies Nathan Hollinger, Joe Presley, Kolton Morgan, and Sgt. Derek Ranken were awarded the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, 2022 Deputies of the Year in recognition for their heroic actions while placing themselves in grave danger.At 12:56am, on December 22, 2021, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a 3-year-old that was missing from his home in Harmon, IL. The night shift, consisting of Sgt. Derek Ranken, Deputies Joseph Presley, Kolton Morgan and Nathan Hollinger immediately responded to the area. Upon arrival, Deputies began interviewing the father of the child. Not only were they searching for a small child, but the child was last seen wearing only a diaper and the temperature that morning was 17 degree F.Deputies searched the immediate area, as well as the home, extensively. The search area broadened, utilizing responding resources from Lee County Search and Rescue, Dixon PD Officers and their K-9 unit as well as State Police.At approximately 2:37 am, Deputy Morgan located the boy, naked, laying face down near a ditch on the east side of town. Deputy Morgan wrapped the toddler in his jacket, then handed him to Deputy Hollinger, so he could get some blankets from his squad car. The child was unresponsive at the time. It is believed that he was exposed to the elements unclothed, for approximately 2 hours!There was no time to wait for EMS, Sgt. Ranken, Deputies Morgan and Hollinger had to transport the child to KSB Hospital in Deputy Morgan’s squad car. This part of Lee County is remote, with no ambulance service in proximity. Considering the condition of the child, this was the absolute correct decision.Deputy Presley was the lead car, ensuring safe passage along the route to the hospital. While enroute, Deputy Hollinger performed CPR on the child twice, which resulted in the child reacting positively. Dixon City PD were at the city limits and assisted with traffic control as the Deputies rushed to the hospital.Upon arrival at KSB, waiting nurses and doctors performed CPR, while also using the AED approximately four times, as the child coded. Eventually, all efforts were successful, and the child regained consciousness. He was subsequently stabilized and transported, via helicopter, to St. Frances in Peoria for further treatment.Statements made by the attending ER personnel at KSB Hospital summarize this best – “the quick actions and decision-making by on-scene personnel, rapid transport to the hospital, warming the child and performing CPR while enroute, saved this child’s life.”“I cannot adequately express my gratitude and pride in knowing how exemplary our personnel responded and performed that morning. This was an outstanding team effort by all involved. Their quick action, decision-making, coordination, and response to this incident, provided us the best opportunity for a successful outcome.” –Sheriff John C. Simonton, retired Lee County Sheriff.The new sitting Sheriff, Clay Whelan was present at the ISA Awards Ceremony with these fine deputies and presented their plaques and gave testimony to this heroic event. “I am extremely proud to be a part of this team and work alongside these deputies!” – stated Sheriff Clay Whelan, Lee County Sheriff.The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, and the Executive Board, would like to thank Deputies Nathan Hollinger, Joe Presley, Kolton Morgan, and Sgt. Derek Ranken for their heroic actions and dedication to their profession, the citizens of Lee County and the State of Illinois.###LEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: 815.284.5217For More Info: www.ilsheriff.org