Crime & Safety

9-Year-Old Girl Recognized For Calling 911 to Help Ill Father

Vera Brenneman calmly dialed 911 to ask for help for her dad.


Riverside, IL - A 9-year-old girl was recognized with Riverside’s 911 Award for her calm and clear call when her father had a medical emergency in November.

Vera Brenneman was recognized with the 911 Award Jan. 21 at the Riverside Village Board meeting, presented by Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel and Deputy Fire Chief Bill Sherman, according to Riverside police.

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At 4:39 a.m. Nov. 8, 2015, Brenneman dialed 911 to get help for her ill father.

“Something happened to my dad and he is not waking up,” Brenneman told communications officer Deana Wetzler during the call.

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Brenneman carefully answered Wetzler’s questions, and Riverside paramedics and police were sent to the home to give medical assistance to her dad.

“Vera is a role model for other kids to look up to when dialing 911,” Wetzler said in a statement.

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